Ian Laing, owner of Gatewest Coins in Winnipeg, recently unearthed an extraordinary piece of Canadian history: a treaty medal with direct ties to the signing of Treaty 4. The well-known longtime dealer, who has been a prominent figure in the numismatic world for almost six decades, made this significant discovery during Geoffrey Bell Auctions’ Oct. 4 sale, where he purchased Lot 424, a silver medal initially described as having some scratches on the reverse. The medal, listed in the catalogue as an Indian Peace Medal, turned out to be a treasure far greater in both historical significance and rarity. Laing’s numismatic credentials are well established. As the 46-year owner of Gatewest Coins, Laing has built his business into the world’s largest dealer of Canadian coins. He was also named one of Coin World’s Most Influential People in Numismatics 1960-2020, the only Canadian to make the U.S.-based publication’s “Top 60” list. With nearly 58 years as a coin dealer, Laing’s expertise and passion for numismatics have made him a respected figure in the field, handling some of Canada’s most significant numismatic pieces. Continue reading →
These two auction images of the Indian Treaty Medal, accompanied by a red ribbon, were featured as Lot 424 in the Oct. 4 Geoffrey Bell Auctions sale. They show scratches on the reverse that obscure some letters, while the obverse features a portrait of Queen Victoria. (Photos courtesy of G. Bell Auctions)
