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Montana Vigilante Silver Medallion

Currency:USD Category:Western Americana Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,500.00 USD
Montana Vigilante Silver Medallion
SOLD
5,000.00USD+ (1,000.00) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2016 Apr 02 @ 15:53UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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1866 Vigilante Silver Medallion
By December of 1863 citizens of Virginia City, Bannock, and Nevada City had enough with undesirable characters. They met secretly and organized a vigilante group. Masked men began to visit suspected outlaws and issued warnings. They often tacked up signs with a ‘skull and crossbones’ and the ‘3-7-77’ numbers on them. Wise men left town.

In the first two months of 1864, the Montana vigilantes hanged 24 men. Most historians agree that these hangings, while technically illegal, punished only genuinely guilty men. Not long after the questionable execution of Slade, legitimate courts and prisons began to function in Virginia City. Though sporadic vigilante “justice” continued until 1867, it increasingly attracted public concern. [history.com]

This medallion is 1” x 1.5.” We have found a similar piece from the Pacific Northwest--a silver personal nameplate for an IOOF lodge--which leads us to believe this is both silver and period. It is not typical of modern machine engraving. The foreign substance on the surface is part of the engraving process, possibly a polishing compound used to remove oxidation on the surface. The border pattern appears to have been made with a single punch device (triangles are in a very straight line). Under a binocular microscope, this piece shows pitting, probably from reactions of the soil with the surface of the metal. The engraving is by single-stroke measure, the lettering on the arbors is punched not engraved. On the obverse are at least three areas of what appear to be pinpoint size blobs of solder (15 or so). There are also similar blobs on the pictorial side as well. These possibly indicate the piece sat in a metal shop after discovery. The wear is almost minimal around the hole drilled at the top. There are elements of iron oxide from transfer of iron to this piece (probably while buried in the soil). In conclusion, this piece certainly has all the appearances of an original, dug artifact. We cannot guarantee its authenticity.

3-7-77 was the symbol used by the Montana Vigilantes (Vigilance Committee) in Virginia City, Montana. People who found the numbers ‘3-7-77’ painted on their tent or cabin knew that they had better leave the area or expect to be on the receiving end of vigilantism.

Various theories have been put forth about its meaning, including:
A person was put on notice that he had 3 hours 7 minutes and 77 seconds to leave town.

The numbers represent the dimensions of a grave, 3 feet by 7 feet by 77 inches.

The Free Masons believe that the numbers refer to Masonic history since most vigilantes were Masons. For example, the ‘77’ refers to the 77th Mason who was killed, thus creating the ‘3-7-77’ Society.

The numbers are also used on the shoulder patch of the Montana Highway Patrol, who claim they do not know the original meaning of the symbol.

“Salus Populi Suprema Lex” translates to “Public Safety is Higher than the Law.”

City: State: Montana Date: 1866 ID: 37213