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The Larry Swick “Peace Medal” Collection, Pine Ridge Reservation: A Collection of 84 Peace Medals with “Notes of Provenance in Lakota and English”
By Bill Hyder and Fred Holabird
Introduction
This collection of 84 Peace Medals was assembled by a Pine Ridge Reservation farmer, the only white family within the Reservation. He collected the medals over the 1976-1978 period at a time when the modern-day American Indian Movement was at its height. As such, the collection has a level of important cultural significance previously unenvisioned by collectors and historians.
Background
Larry Swick was born in 1932 and raised on his parent’s farm, the Bar-O-Bar, a private inholding on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Although he spent fifteen years (1957-1973) as a physical therapist in Long Beach and San Francisco, he and his children were raised alongside the Oglala Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Larry’s obituary notes his love of the outdoors, hunting pheasants and fishing on the family farm, and family camping in the Black Hills. Friends remember him as being studied, knowledgeable, independent, and a critical thinker. In addition to continuing work as a physical therapist after returning to the family home in 1973, he served as a long-time member on the Oglala Lakota (formerly Shannon) County School board in South Dakota encompassing the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Larry and his wife Betty built and ran the Wakpamni Bed and Breakfast on the farm in his retirement. They added a gift shop featuring souvenirs made by local artisans including bead work, dream catchers, and modern reproductions of cultural artifacts. The Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce selected Wakpamni as the business of the month in January 2009. Larry’s service on the school board and his generosity among his Oglala neighbors earned him the name Oyate Wac Inyanpi (“people depend on him”) bestowed by the Lakota Sioux Tribe.
The Collection
The Swick Peace Medal Collection is, and was, exciting to look at and analyze. The process invited so many questions on so many aspects of history, inclusive of the American Indian Movement in the 1970s.
Larry’s avocations included collecting old cars and guns as well as acting in community theater. Swick collected the Peace medals between 1976 and 1978. At first glance, several appeared original, but most were clearly from the post-1903 restrike period, many altered in some way. Nine medals are new products from the U.S. Mint presidential list, a product of modern-day collection of restrikes from the US Mint, and one is a new restrike of George III peace medal. One surviving invoice from 1978 hints that these may be among the last he purchased.
Discussion
With three exceptions, the remaining 74 medals have been mechanically ground to round the edges and smooth the high points on the medals. In some instances, parallel “reeding-like” machine marks appear along parts of the rims. Following the smoothing process that we assume was meant to make the medals appear worn and old, additional grinding or file marks are obvious on the highest points. The medals then appear to have been acid washed to dull the bright surfaces created by the grinding. In some instances, the medals were given red paint or silver, adding to an illusion of age. The medals have drilled loopholes with rings attached and ribbons in many cases. With a few exceptions, the loopholes do not show wear consistent with the simulated wear. Fifty-nine medals have written “documentation” on pencil, hand-written notes “authenticating” the medals and who owned them. Many of the notes are handwritten in Lakota, sometimes with an English translation.
At first glance, a John Tyler large silver peace medal with a heavy nickel-silver chain and suspension loop as opposed to loophole could be the real thing. On closer examination it is 3mm smaller than the original, obviously cast, and has an enigmatic STERLING hallmark on the rim. These attributes clearly place the date of manufacture at the post-Tyler period. A second, fully silvered, James Buchanan medal also appears real before closer inspection. The reverse is that of the earlier Fillmore and Pierce medals indicating it is a later product of the U.S. Mint and in this specific case is from the Mint’s Presidential series, produced after 1903. The note accompanying the medal indicates it was written in 1896 by Good Thunder who indicates it was worn by Spotted Thunder who died at Wounded Knee. The note then says his son owned the medal, although there is a blank space for the son’s name. The envelope indicates the collector paid $125 for the medal.
Eighteen medals in the collection are George Washington Peace medals that were not struck until 1903 for the U.S. Mint Presidential medal series. The mint never struck Washington Peace medals, rather the few originals that were made were hand engraved ovals, each one different from another. The mint used the bust from the Evacuation of Boston medal and the clasped hands design from early Peace medals for the reverse. All references in the accompanying documentation to the pre-1903 ownership of the medals is clearly false. In most instances, the names are those of real people well known among the Oglala of the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Another interpretation of the source of these Peace Medals is that the post-1903 medals were purposefully artificially aged and owned by descendants of the tribe members mentioned on the Lakota written notes and kept as treasured keepsakes, as the originals would have been. It becomes impossible to understand the source of the medals without the original parties being alive. We are left with intellectual speculation.
Another note of “authenticity” is particularly puzzling. Here, a note is written on tribal stationary with the signatures of Otto C. Eagle, President of the Oglala Council and Joe Horn Cloud, Secretary of the Oglala Council in the upper right corner. It appears the page was blank, and the note was written in another hand stating that the medal belonged to Chief Horn Cloud who was killed at Wounded Knee. The medal was given to his son Chief Dewey Beard “Iron Hail,” dated Oct 24, 1914. The accompanying medal is a George Washington medal, clearly not worn by someone who died at Wounded Knee. We suspect the attribution was written on the stationary since Joe Horn Cloud was the son of Horn Cloud and brother to Dewey Beard as well as being a survivor himself. He and his brother raised funds to erect a monument near a Wounded Knee mass grave in 1905. As a representative of the survivors in claims against the government, it is extremely unlikely he would have been a party to selling an authentic Peace medal..
Another note accompanying a Grover Cleveland Peace medal is written on the bottom of a December 31, 1895 letter of introduction for Leane(?) Bear from Captain Charles Penny, Acting Indian Agent at Pine Ridge. The letter is authentic, but the note at the bottom is not contemporary with the letter. The contents of the letter do not discuuss Peace Medals in anty fashion, nor an award or keepsake given to a tribal member. At the bottom of letter is a drawing of the medal and pencil Lakota statement likely identifying the medal as belonging to One Bear. Penny was at the Pine Ridge reservation during attempts to revive the Ghost Dance and One Bear was believed to be a party to that effort. Here, it appears a legitimate document is being used to authenticate a modern fabrication. If it were a legitimate rare Cleveland medal (and a few bronze medals were distributed), it would be bronzed copper and have a much different appearance, with no surface grinding or filing of the high points of the obverse relief. An original would not show this degree of artificial aging if it were contemporaneous with the letter.
Perhaps the most damning medal in the collection is the 1933 U.S. Mint, Benjamin Franklin medal engraved by John Ray Sinnock. Who ever produced these so-called Peace medals failed to recognize the micro-signatures and dates on the legitimate medal. It has been ground down and acid washed to make it appear old. The attached letter is dated Dec. 20. 191l, and says the medal belonged to “Hump (1848-1908), Chief of the Northern Cheyenne. He died long ago.” The drawing of the medal is signed by George Eagle Bear, Bridger, SD. Lacking the micro-initials of the engraver, the medal must not be original.
A full list of the medals in the collection follows with brief notes.
Thoughts for Discussion
After examining each medal, we believe they are the work of one individual. Were they created to honor those past who were awarded these medals, or made to deceive? Swick was not a medal collector, nor professional numismatist.
Many of the medals are accompanied by invoices from Lighthouse Antiques in Gordon, Nebraska. While not all medals have accompanying invoices or noted purchase price on envelopes, we estimate Larry spent nearly $15,000 over two years building the accumulation. Opal Munro opened the Lighthouse Antique store in Gordon, Nebraska in 1969 and catered to tourists. In one newspaper account in the early 1970s, it was noted that Jim Fire Thunder of Gordon made drums and other Indian artifacts that are displayed at Lighthouse Antiques.
Peace medals are rare and stories in the local newspapers in the 1970s and 1980s reported their rarity and some of the efforts by Native American tribes to recover medals that had been excavated from cemeteries. Could it be surmised that Opal knew that so many medals, so similar in appearance, had to be modern concoctions? We will never know. Was she also deceived? Swick bought the medals and simply put them away, as many collectors have done for centuries.
Further research uncovered one other instance of a similar Peace Medal, but only one. News of Gordon area antique company auctions of large artifact collections at the time mentions the presence of two or three Peace medals along with hundreds of other artifacts. One even mentions a Peace medal with a letter. It is highly probable that these medals with accompanying “authentication” were made by, and came from the same source.
Important Cultural Notes at the Time of Acquisition
Of very significant interest is that Pine Ridge was in the national eye following the second “Wounded Knee” military occupation in early 1973. American Indian Movement activists Russell Means and Dennis Banks were in the national news. The 1976-77 trial of Leonard Peltier attracted national attention. It makes sense that tourists would be attracted to purported Peace medals with purported documentation linking them to chiefs linked to the Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee. This, in itself, renders the collection of important modern cultural significance.
An important question arises when looking at the “big picture” evidenced by the presence of these medals; was it a way to support friends in tough times and under siege due to the actions of AIM? Were the medals made to allow financial support for the AIM network of friends?
His collection invites further research.
The medals:
Swick 1 : Rutherford B. Hayes U.S. Mint medal
New medal from mint.
Swick 2 : Small George III reproduction of Indian Peace medal, aged.
Swick 3 : John Tyler cast Peace medal
Three mm too small, although the proper weight for a genuine large size Tyler Peace Medal of which only three are known. Lacking the circular mark on the obverse at 12 o’clock that indicates where the hole should be drilled. Small beads indicative of casting visible at 9 o’clock along the rim on the reverse and below SHIP in Friendship. A Sterling hallmark between 2 and 3 o’clock on the rim. With nickel-silver chain.
Swick 4 : Benjamin Harrison U.S. Mint medal
New medal.
Swick 5 : Small George III Indian Peace medal reproduction
Modern medal.
Swick 6 : Grover Cleveland U.S. Mint medal
New medal as purchased from the mint.
Swick 7 : Grover Cleveland U.S. Mint medal
Ground, red oxidized aging treatment.
Swick 8 : Small modern Grant presidential mint medal.
Swick 9 : James A. Garfield
New medal from mint.
Swick 10 : Rutherford B. Hayes U.S. Mint medal
Ground, polished, acid washed. Loophole shows no wear. Note dated 1899 says medal belonged to Chief Young Bull Bear. Signed by Sammuel Young Bull Bear.
Swick 11 : Rutherford B. Hayes U.S. Mint medal
New medal from the mint.
Swick 12 : Chester Arthur U.S. Mint medal
New Medal as purchased from the mint.
Swick 13 : Grant U.S. Mint medal.
New medal.
Swick 14 : Grant U.S. Mint medal
Ground, polished, and silvered with much of silvering worn off. No wear on loophole. Ribbon attached. Note says it belonged to High Eagle in 1871, now belongs to Noah Bear Eagle.
Swick 15: Benjamin M. Harrison U.S. Mint medal
Ground and smoothed. Traces of silver wash. Loophole no wear.
Swick 16 : Benjamin Harrison U.S. Mint medal
Edges and surfaces ground, acid washed, and black substance applies that is mostly worn off. No wear on loophole.
Swick 17 : Martin Van Buren U.S. Mint medal
Ground and polished, loophole shows no wear.
Swick 18 : William H. Harrison U.S. Mint medal
Ground and polished, acid washed. Treat with black lacquer that was then rubbed off. Loophole shows no wear.
Swick 19 : Andrew Johnson U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Some black material present. Loophole shows no wear. Ribbon attached.
Swick 20 : James Miller U.S. Mint medal
Reproduction of Congressional medal for Brigadier General Miller for Battles of Chippewa in 1814. Modern mint medal ground, acid washed, and looped as if it were a peace medal.
Swick 21 : John Quincy Adams U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed, no wear on loophole. Lighthouse Antiques invoice from Aug 18, 1978 for two medal (likely new medals at $40 each. Does not go with this medal. Lakota note with name Eagle Bear.
Swick 22 : Small Andrew Jackson presidential medal
Aged and looped. The small peace medal would be 50mm.
Swick 23 : Small Andrew Jackson presidential medal
Ground, no loophole.
Swick 24 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, then polished. Loophole shows no wear, pink ribbon. 1912 note in Lakota seems to say the medal belonged to Black Eagle who became chief on Oct. 20, 1911.
Swick 25 : Abraham Lincoln Mint medal.
New medal with mint box and papers.
Swick 26 : William McKinley U.S. Mint medal
Edges ground, acid washed. 1912 note in Lakota signed by White Sheled (?).
Swick 27 : Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln U.S. Mint medals
Both ground and acid washed. Loopholes not worn. Note says the two medals belonged to Chief American Horse. William Kill Straight wrote the note Sept. 1, 1917.
Swick 28 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, and silvered (worn away), Ribbon attached, unworn loophole. Type written statement by Good Thunder, Wounded Knee survivor, says the medal was owned by Horn Cloud who was killed at Wounded Knee. The medal went to his son Beard who was wounded four times but he survived.
Swick 29 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, black coating has worn away.1906 ink note in Lakota about Good Thunder and White Sheep. Pencil note at bottom says White Thunder was in Custer Battle when he was 17. Now a Big Chief.
Swick 30 : James Buchanan U.S. Mint medal
Ground and fully silvered. Ribbon, loophole no wear. Envelope says he paid $125. Note by Good Thunder written in 1896. Spotted Thunder owned the medal and was killed at Wounded Knee. His son (space for name is blank) owned the medal.
Swick 31 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, and silvered. Most of silvering is worn away. Loophole shows wear. Ribbon attached. Envelope indicates he paid $225. Note dated 1913 indicates medal belonged to Yellow Thunder.
Swick 32 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal and Abraham Lincoln Mint medal
Both ground and acid washed. No wear on Washington loophole. Yellow ribbon attached. Lighthouse Antiques invoice for two medals Sept 26, 1977, $200 each. Second Invoice from June 15, 1977 for two medals for $400. 1912 note says the Washington medal belonged to Brave Buffalo and is signed by John Yellow Thunder. The note with the Lincoln medal says it belonged to Brown Thunder in 1888 and that he died in 1929.
Swick 33 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. No wear on loophole. Ribbon attached. 1893 date at top of note, but text below supposedly added in 1911. Signed Lone Bear
Swick 34 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Loophole shows some wear and cloth ribbon is attached. Note from 1912 says the medal belonged to Chief Harm Cloud who was killed at Wounded Knee. The medal then went to his son Daniel Harm Cloud. Now owned by Charles Two Hawks. Pencil Lakota text on the reverse indicates the paper was cut down from an earlier text.
Swick 35 : Andrew Jackson U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid wash. No wear on loophole. Cord attached. 1911 Lakota note indicates the medal belonged to North Cheyenne Chief Turn Hawk.
Swick 36 : Franklin Pierce U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Loophole shows some wear. 1906 note in Lakota says it belonged to Chasing Eagle. Envelope notes he paid $225.
Swick 37 : Andrew Johnson U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, no wear on loophole. 1912 note describes as a George Washington medal belonging to Little Bird.
Swick 38 : James K. Polk U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Loophole shows no wear. Envelope indicates he paid $225. 1912 Lakota note is not translated. Note at bottom says One Bear.
Swick 39 : Grover Cleveland U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. No wear on loophole. Envelope indicates he paid $225. Note 9.8.1977 in Lakota signed Little Bird.
Swick 40 : Grover Cleveland U.S. Mint medal
Ground and silvered. No wear on loophole. Envelope indicates he paid $225. 1911 note indicating owned by Spotted Horse who died long time ago.
Swick 41 : Rutherford B. Hayes US mint medal. Edge and surfaces have been ground down and polished. Medal coated with a black lacquer like substance and then rubbed or polished off. Spots in letters and on rim, cracks in coating below bust. Accretions around the raise edges. Ring and hole shows wear. Chief Turn Hawk. 1929 note in Lakota. Envelope #28 Hayes 225
Swick 42 : Rutherford B. Hayes U.S. Mint medal
Edge and surfaces ground down. Some sort of acid surface treatment. Wear around loophole. Ribbon attached. One Stare 1914 note Envelope #26 225
Swick 43 : John Adams U.S. Mint medal
Ground and blackened. Traces remain. Yellow ribbon. Loophole not worn. Envelope 15 says$200 Lighthouse Antiques, Gordon, Nebr, Sept 9, 1977. Second invoice in envelope for another medal, just says peace medal. Lighthouse Antiques, Gordon Nebr invoice Oct 10, 1977 says $225. Note for the Adams medal says it belongs to Chief Elk Tooth from Brule Reservation. Signed Walter Red Blanket.
Swick 44 : Abraham Lincoln U.S. Mint medal
Ground rims, light on high points, acid washed. Tape remnants from note on the obverse. No wear on loophole. Jan 22, 1911 note in Lakota with drawing of the medal.
Swick 45 : James Buchanan cast peace medal
Obvious cast. Not silver. Rim polished.
Swick 46 : Abraham Lincoln U.S. Mint medal
Ground and silvered, silver wash worn off. Clean loophole. July 29, 1936 note says Chief King White Shield of North Cheyenne Indian Reservation at Standing Rock. Signed by William White Shield. Envelope indicates $200.
Swick 47 : Grover Cleveland U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. minimal loophole wear. Letter from Captain Charles Penny, Acting Indian Agent Pine Ridge. Letter of introduction for Leane Bear. Bottom of letter has a drawing of the medal and pencil Lakota statement likely identifying the medal as belonging to One Bear. (Likely added to a legitimate letter.)
Swick 48 : Zachary Taylor U.S. Mint medal
Ground and washed. No wear on loophole. Reverse heavily encrusted. Ribbon. Note 1911 belonged to my grandfather Horn Cloud. Same B…l Indian as in 68.
Swick 49 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Edge ground, lightly ground high points. Acid washed. loophole not worn. 1909 note states the medal owned by Chief Bear Tail who was wounded twice Custer battle. Envelope indicates the medal cost $220.
Swick 50 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Large loophole, no wear. Ribbon. Invoice from Lighthouse Antiques, Gordon, Neb., Feb 9, 1976. Jefferson medal $200 and Washington medal $135. The note is written on a cut sheet of paper signed by Otto C. Eagle, President of the Oglala Council and Joe Horn Cloud, Secretary of the Oglala Council. The note states it was worn by a chief at Wounded Knee, Chief Horn Cloud who was killed. The medal was given to his son Chief Dewey Beard “Iron Hail.” Dated Oct 24, 1914.
Swick 51 : Abraham Lincoln U.S. Commemorative medal
Ground edges and smoothed high points. Appears to have have been blacked and then acid washed. Loophole is not worn. Red ribbon attached. Note is a Sept 1929 copy of the original statement written in 1892 by White Wolf, a survivor of Wounded Knee. Spotted Thunder killed at Wounded Knee owned this medal. The medal was given to his son White Wolf. Drawing of the medal. Green ribbon.
Swick 52: John Adams U.S. Mint medal
Ground smooth and acid washed. Tape remnants on the reverse from the note. Dec. 19, 1914 Lakota note by Eagle Shirt. Loophole of worn.
Swick 53 : Franklin Pierce U.S. Mint medal
Ground and swath of black lacquer below bust. No wear on loophole Red ribbon. Invoice from Lighthouse Antiques, Gordon Neb. Oct 31, 1977. Tyler medal $175 and Pierce medal $175 1896 note signed Henry Young Bear
Swick 54 : John Tyler U.S. Mint medal
Ground and red oxidizing? Tape on the reverse. No loop wear. Appears note was taped to medal. Note Oct 21.77. Signed One Stare
Swick 55 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Typical ground smoothing and wash. loophole appears artificial wear on one side. Pink ribbon. Lighthouse AntiqUes, Gordon, Neb. Feb 7, 1977, Washington Peace $200. White Buffalo Man, signed Sam Lone Bear. Photo in the envelope is Little Big Man..
It says Lone Bear on the reverse.
Swick 56 : Chester A. Arthur U.S. Mint medal
Ground and washed. No wear in loophole. Red ribbon. 1912 note, added notation, White Buffalo Man (signature)
Swick 57 : Abraham Lincoln U.S. Commemorative medal
Edge ground down, smoothed, acid washed. Ribbon attached. Loophole shows minimal wear. Nov. 1911 note signed by Noah Bear Eagle.
Swick 58 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and silvered. No wear on loophole. 1906 note says the medal belonged to Take the Horse of Standing Rock, now belongs Henry Big Boy. Red ribbon
Swick 59 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Smoothed and acid washed with tape remnants on the obverse. Note written by Poor Thunder, survivor of Wounded Knee states the medal was worn by an older Chief at Wounded Knee. The Washington Peace medals were not struck until 1903, so it could not have been worn at Wounded Knee on December 29, 1890.
Swick 60 : Benjamin Franklin U.S. mint medal.
Ground and washed as other medals. Medal was struck 1933 or later, but attached note is dated Dec. 20. 1911. Says medal belonged to Hump, Chief of the Northern Cheyenne. He died long ago. Drawing of the medal and signed by George Eagle Bear, Bridger, SD.
Swick 61 : James Monroe U.S. Mint medal
Edges and surface ground down. “Reeding-like” marks around obverse edge and some reverse edge. Acid wash? Said to belong to Brown Thunder (likely 1880-1890s. Wuster Iron Hill wrote this down 1931. Some wear on ring hold, yellow (cream) ribbon.
Swick 62 : James Monroe U.S. Mint medal
Ground down, acid was as others. Little to no wear on the ring hole. Note dated 1912
Swick 63 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Same ground wear, went too deep at 5 o’clock. Acid wash. Minimal wear on ring hole. Iwrotethis in 1906. Daniel is added in pencil. Chief fro. The South called White Eyes?
Text added below in Lakota.
Swick 64 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Heavily ground and acid washed with some pitting. Ribbon hole moderate wear. Note is handwritten description of the medal. Signed by Sam Lone Bear 1936. Outside says Mr. Sam Lone Bear Porcupine, Sou Dak. Also says Sam White Buffalo Man. Two Sam lone bears, one a performer, his cousin afoul of the law.
Swick 65 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Moderate loop wear. Ink note says it was written in 1894 and the medal was owned by Holy Bull. Signed George Eagle Bear. In pencil at bottom is statement that the medal is really old and worth $50, signed by Ben Blake Fox.
Swick 66 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Minimal loophole wear. Ribbon. June 7, 1976 invoice for a Crow pipe for $75. Statement from William Kill Straight, survivor of 1890 Wounded Knee. I wrote this statement in 1896 where Good Thunder who owned this medal was killed. The medal was owned by his son Abraham Good Thunder.
Swick 67 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Edges and surfaces ground down. Acid wash with parallel line stains most prominent on the reverse. Loophole moderate wear. Red ribbon. Iron Deer wrote this down in 1929. This is copy 1913. Peace medallion belong to One Bull. One Bill was adopted son of Sitting Bull, fought at Little Big Horn,died 1947.
Swick 68 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. No wear on loophole. 1977 note be longed to my father B—l reservation
Swick 69 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground, polished, and silvered. Worn away. Reeding chatter on rim. December 1, 1915 note in Lakota signed by White Feather.
Swick 70 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Edges and surfaces ground down. “Reeding-like” marks around both edges. Silver wash worn off. Some wear on loophole. 1909 dated note said the medal belonged to Pretty Bird, Chief form Northern Cheyenne. Killed in Wounded Knee December 29, 1890. Corner of envelope 31, 200.
Swick 71 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. 1911 note states the medal belonged to Frank Horn Cloud from North Cheyenne Res.
Swick 72 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Loophole little wear. Note in Lakota, 1911, signed Standing Elk, Oglala tanning Rock, now belongs to
Swick 73 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Edges ground and nearly rounded. Black encrusted, not heavily ground down on surfaces. Little loop wear except at top. I wrote this 1997. It was medal of Chief Bull Eagle. Written by Steven Eagle Bear.
Swick 74 : Thomas Jefferson U.S. Mint medal
Ground (edges not heavily), washed. No wear on loophole. Leather wrapped ring.
Sept 11, 1912 note. Chief Black Horse. Comanche Chief black horse died 1900
Swick 75 : Andrew Jackson U.S. Mint medal
Ground, acid washed, silver wash mostly worn off. Loophole no wear. Ribbon. 1909 note in Lakota with drawing of the medal is signed Rubin Iron Eagle.
Swick 76 : Abraham Lincoln U.S. Mint medal
Same ground edges and surfaces, light wear in ring hole. Acid wash. 1914 note says Sitting Bear says it belonged to Chief Holy Bull. Says the medal is really old. Signed John White.
Swick 77 : James A. Garfield U.S. Mint medal
Ground down as others. Front hole shows no wear. Acid wash. Note dated Sept 7.77. Says medal belonged to my old grandfather Holy Bull, Chief of the North Cheyenne Res. Signed J Holy Bull.
Swick 78 : Martin Van Buren U.S. Presidential Mint medal
Ground and washed. “Reeding-like chatter in the upper edge, minimal loop wear. 1926 note with medal sketch. First signature scratched out on obv
Swick 79 : James Madison U.S. Mint medal
Ground and acid washed. Loophole not worn. 1911 note states Chief Holy Bull owned this medal.
Swick 80 : James Madison Mint medal
Uneven ground edges. Loophole too smooth? Acid wash. Note 1920, pencil notation at the bottom says the medal belonged to White Buffalo Man. Torn envelope corner says 225
Swick 81 : Benjamin H. Harrison Mint medal
High relief medal with moderate grinding on edge. Some silvering remains. No real wear on ring hole. Oct 6, 1909 note in Lakota.
Swick 82 : Benjamin Harrison U.S. Mint medal
Edges ground although the surfaces are only lightly ground, and acid washed. 1929 note says it was owned by Chief Jack Bull Eagle, Brules Sioux Chief.
Swick 83 : Millard Filmore Mint medal
Similar grinding and acid wash. Loophole shows no wear. Torn envelope cover 125. Lighthouse Antiques, Gordon, Nebr. invoice Dec 21, 1973. $125. Note in Lakota, June 1912. Outer signature says Chief Iron Hill. Has drawing of medal. (1850-1900) yellow ribbon
Swick 84 : George Washington U.S. Mint medal
Ground and washed with ribbon. Paid $300. I wrote this in 1894. Medal from Chief Bull Eagle. Signed by Carl Jackson (Wanblee Wacaia)
Photo with the medal is Jack Red Cloud, son of Red Cloud. Wearing a Grant Peace medal. Photo says Holy Bull on the reverse.
Date: 1871
Country (if not USA):
State: South Dakota
City: Pine Ridge Reservation
Provenance:
Auction Location:
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3. COINS, CURRENCY AND PRECIOUS METALS, Insurance. The buyer’s commission for this section is 20.5%. Coins and currency shall be defined as any regular Federal issue circulating coins and currency. Tokens are not considered coins. Precious metals shall be defined as ingots, silver or gold rounds, bullion items and gold nuggets. Mineral specimens are not considered under the precious metals category. Commemorative items such as metals and ribbons are not considered coins of precious metals. However, lots that consist entirely of gold or silver of high purity, including commemorative metals, are considered precious metals. Please contact our office if you need clarification on a specific lot.
4. SALES TAX: Sales tax may be applicable in any of the 50 states according to current tax laws regarding internet sales. Please check your state's tax regulations. HWAC will charge sales tax for those states that we know have instituted internet sales tax. All bonafide resale dealers with a current valid resale license should submit their license in advance to HWAC.
5. SHIPPING & HANDLING: The customer is responsible for all shipping and packaging charges. We offer shipping service as a convenience to our buyers. Items are not shipped until the invoice and shipping charges are completely paid. Shipping costs will be calculated and billed separately after your items have been paid for. Purchases will be shipped via our approved, insured carriers: FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL. Pick up is available from our Reno office, once you have received your invoice post auction, with 24 hours notice given to HWAC prior to pick-up.
6. LIVE (FLOOR) BIDDING: Please arrive a few minutes early to check in and receive your bidding paddle. We will open lots with more than one bid at the current high absentee bid or 50% of the low estimate at the auctioneer’s discretion. Please be sure to bid on the correct lots during the live auction. Our auction progress is at a rate of between 60 and 150 lots per hour. An item is not sold until the next lot is announced. (We are not responsible for Internet bids that arrive late.) The auctioneer will identify the successful bidder by number and announce the winning bid amount. If you are not sure whether you won the lot or not, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification immediately, prior to the start of the next auction lot. Auctioneer reserves the right to reopen the lot in the case of an immediate dispute at the actual time of the sale.
7. TELEPHONE BIDDING: Telephone bidding MUST be scheduled prior to this auction. If you do not schedule in advance, and choose instead to call on the day of the auction to request a line for bidding, you may find that we are unable to accommodate your request. Please limit your telephone bids to items of value greater than $500, or to a string of items with a similar total.
8. LIVE AUCTION ABSENTEE BIDDING: Mail or FAX Absentee bids for the live auction MUST be received by 5pm Pacific Time the day before the auction. Bids accepted after the cutoff time will be represented live only if an agent is available and will not be considered absentee or given first priority as such. It is your responsibility to submit all lot numbers and bid amounts accurately. Absentee bids MUST be equal to at least 50% of the low estimate if an estimate is provided. Bids on “No Lots” or “Withdrawn” Lots will not be executed. Bids made in amounts that do not conform to the bid increment table under Item #13 will be automatically rounded up or down by the computer, or rounded to the nearest proper bid increment at the discretion of the auctioneer. Absentee bids are entered into a computer that will bid live on your behalf at the auction. Absentee bids will compete live against other absentee bids, live internet bidders, floor bidders and phone bidders.
9. INTERNET BIDDING: Both Absentee and Live Internet bidding are available through our live auction networks. If you wish to bid LIVE via the Internet, you MUST pre-register. A live feed is generally accessible during the auction. Online bidding remains open through the live auction, and online absentee bids may be placed anytime. Live bidding will open when the auction starts. Internet bidding is offered as a convenience for those who cannot attend the live sale. Please note that there may be delays or interruptions in Internet connectivity that are beyond our control. Attending the live auction or arranging for an agent is the most reliable way to secure your bids.
10. NEW BIDDERS: Bidders unknown to us, who anticipate an expenditure in excess of $20,000, must provide commercial references or a deposit of 25% of the amount to be bid in order for the auction staff to execute bids. Deposits will be credited towards lots won and any balance will be refunded within 10 business days after the auction has concluded. New bidders will be given a spending limit at their initial request to participate. In order to increase this limit, you may be required to provide a letter of authorization from your bank in addition to providing references. Please contact our office at any time if you have questions regarding spending limits or references required to bid.
11. AGENT BIDDING: There are numerous professional agents available to assist you should you require this service. Please contact the office for a list or to arrange for representation on the floor during the live auction. HWAC is not responsible for any acts or omissions by agents acting on behalf of bidders at our auctions.
BE ADVISED: Auction participation through the live Internet bidding site is not 100% foolproof. The technology for this process is always changing, and the operation of it and the corresponding Internet connectivity issues are far beyond our control. Some folks have attempted to use the live Internet bidding process as their primary method of bidding, and have been quite successful. Others have failed completely. Depending upon your computer, server, host, and other factors, Internet signals may be delayed, such that bids may not be received in time. We cannot be held responsible for these delays, or for the lack of placed bids in a timely manner, or any other factors leading to unaccepted bids that are far beyond our control. Bidders should always have a backup plan for lots they highly desire. Live participation is best, followed by phone participation. We will not reopen lots for missed bids.
12. RESERVES: Most of the lots in this auction are unreserved. Precious metals may be reserved at or near or slightly below spot, at the auctioneer's discretion.
13. BIDDING INCREMENTS: All bids must be submitted in U.S. dollars and in whole dollar amounts only in the appropriate increments as outlined below. If you choose to submit bids in an increment not listed below, your bid will be rounded to the nearest increment and you will be expected to pay the amount to which the bid was rounded should your bid be the winning bid. If you have any questions about an appropriate bid amount, please call us.
14. BID REDUCTION: All winning absentee bids will be reduced, if necessary, to the next bidding increment up from the last competing bid, as long as the minimum bid requirement has been met. For example, if you submit an absentee bid of $1000 and the next highest competing bid is $250, then you will win the lot for $275.
15. BID INFORMATION: Collectors often ask in advance the price level of a particular lot. We will give out the current competitive high absentee bid until we close the day before the live auction. You may also view absentee bids online at www.holabirdamericana.com. While we try to update the absentee bids as often as necessary, bids received close to the bidding deadline might not be reflected online, and we disclaim any responsibility for any bids made in reliance upon inaccuracies on our website, which may be beyond our control. We do not own any of the live Internet bidding platforms, and thus many aspects of the Internet technology are out of our control.
16. BID CANCELLATION: If you wish to cancel or change a bid after you have submitted your bids to us due to an error, you MUST PHONE us to advise us of this. Bid cancellations through mail, email, or faxes are not advisable. Errors are easy to make. Please call us if you have any questions on this.
17. All stock certificates, checks, warrants, and other financial documents sold herein are sold as antiquities, and have no financial, securities, or public trading value whatsoever.
18. We reserve the right to reject any bid we feel is not made in good faith.
19. INVOICING: Invoices are mailed or emailed within two business days after the close of all portions of the sale. Within 15 calendar days of receipt of invoice, payment is due in full to Holabird Western Americana Collections, 3555 Airway Dr., #308, Reno, NV 89511. Late fees may be added if payment arrangements are not made within those 15 days. Sales tax will be added to all sales picked-up after the auction or shipped to Nevada addresses, according to Nevada State law, unless a resale certificate is provided.
20. PAYMENT: We accept Cash, Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Money Order/Cashier’s Check, Wire Transfer, Personal Check or PayPal. All returned checks are subject to a $25 fee. Cash received in amounts greater than $10,000 is subject to the filing of IRS form 8300, as required by law.
21. Automatic Credit Card Billing: Internet bidders are subject to the payment terms and conditions outlined on the internet bidding platform they utilize, which may include the automatic payment of auction invoices with the credit card information on file at the time of registration.
22. NON-PAYMENT: HWAC reserves the right to cancel any invoice not paid in full within 15 days. A cancelled invoice does not relieve the bidder from their obligation to pay seller fees and buyer’s premiums compensating HWAC for its services in conducting the auction. Interest shall run on all outstanding balances at the highest rate permitted by law. HWAC shall have a lien against the merchandise purchased by the bidder, and any other of bidder’s property then held by HWAC or its affiliates, to secure payment of the invoice, and with respect thereto HWAC shall have all the rights of a secured creditor under the Nevada Commercial Code, including but not limited to the right of sale. HWAC may sell the lot(s) securing the invoice to any under bidders in the auction that the lot(s) appeared, or at subsequent private or public sale, or relist the lot(s) in a future auction conducted by HWAC. A defaulting bidder agrees to pay for the reasonable costs of resale (including a 10% seller’s commission, if consigned to an auction conducted by HWAC). The defaulting bidder is liable to pay any difference between his or her total original invoice for the lot(s), plus any applicable interest, and the net proceeds for the lot(s) if sold at private sale or the subsequent hammer price of the lot(s) less the 10% seller’s commissions, if sold at an HWAC auction. If HWAC refers any invoice to an attorney for collection, the bidder agrees to pay attorney’s fees, court costs, and other collection costs incurred by HWAC. Any bidder who fails to follow the terms of payment will be reported to iCollector, Live Auctioneers, Invaluable, or applicable bidding platform, and may be barred from participating in future Holabird Western Americana auctions.
23. CONDITION: We strongly recommend that you attend the live preview to see lots in their entirety. Conditions are not always noted, and large lots may not be itemized due to catalog restraints. For questions, detailed information, or additional images of any lot please contact our office at 775-851-1859. Bidders are responsible for understanding the condition of items. Conditions noted are subjective, and may differ person to person. High resolution images of all items are available online for inspection. HWAC is not responsible for condition discrepancies; it is the bidders responsibility to determine condition prior to bidding.
24. RETURN POLICY: All items are guaranteed to be authentic unless otherwise noted. If authenticity is challenged, please call our office for assistance. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. You may only return any piece that was significantly inaccurately described by calling our office within 10 days of receipt of item(s) and notifying us of the error and reason for return. We do not refund postage or insurance. Please call us if you require a more specific condition report. Any items that are returned must be returned in the exact, unaltered condition. When we receive your bids we will assume you have read the description in the catalog, viewed the image of the item, have contacted us regarding any questions you may have on any lot and/or have previewed the lot in person.
25. This sale is being held under the laws of the State of Nevada.
26. HWAC shall not be held responsible for any problem due to the bidder’s failure to follow the rules, terms and conditions of this sale, or any failure to bid due to the loss of the online auction process provided by any of the online auction networks; or missed bids, changed bids or cancelled due the bidder’s failure to follow the proper bidding procedure outlined herein.
27. By placing a bid or otherwise participating in the auction, Bidder accepts these Terms and Conditions, and specifically agrees to the dispute resolution provided herein.
28. HWAC shall not be responsible for consequential damages, incidental damages, compensatory damages, or any other damages arising or claimed to be arising from the auction on any lot. Bidder’s sole remedy for any proven act or omission shall be rescission of sale and refund of the amount paid by Bidder.
29. Any claim, dispute, or controversy in connection with, relating to and/or arising out of the Auction, participation in the Auction, award of lots, damages of claims to lots, descriptions, condition reports, provenance, estimates, return and warranty rights, any interpretation of these Terms and Conditions, any alleged verbal modification of these Terms and Conditions and/or any purported settlement shall be exclusively heard by, and the parties consent to exclusive in personal jurisdiction of, the Superior Court of Washoe County, Nevada. The parties expressly waive any right to trial by jury. Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of the auction from which the claim arose or the claim is waived. In every case, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of its attorney’s fees and costs.