2023 ONCPAPA from Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation Series; 1 Ounce Antiqued Silver Coin

Description

Metal                    Silver

Purity                   0.999 (99.9%)

Weight                 1 Troy Ounce (31,1 g)

Diameter              38.6 mm

Attributes             Antique Finish, Ultra-High Relief

Mintage                1500

Packaging             Capsule, Red Drawstring Pouch, Information Pamphlet and Numbered CoA

The powerful engraving of Running Antelope, Chief of the Oncpapa (Hunkpapa) Lakota Sioux featured on the large-sized $5 currency note from 1899 was the first—and only—time a Native American image was used as the central motif on any U.S. paper currency. Now that vibrant design is featured as the central motif on a legal-tender coin struck by the Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation as an incredible antiqued ultra-high relief masterpiece.

One of the most popular currency notes of all time, the 1899 $5 Silver Certificate Oncpapa Indian Chief note blended United States history and beautiful artwork to form a uniquely American artifact from the turn of the century. It features the portrait of Ta-to-ka-in-yan-ka—Running Antelope—who was a close advisor to the great Sitting Bull. As one of four principal “shirt wearers” or chiefs during the Plains Indians Wars, Running Antelope eventually had a falling out with Sitting Bull because he believed that compromise with the whites was in his people’s best interests. The note caused some ill will among the tribes of the Great Plains when it was issued as it depicted Running Antelope as a chief wearing a Pawnee headdress as the original Lakota headdress was too tall for the engraving. Apparently, the engravers at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing weren’t aware that the Lakota and Pawnee were mortal enemies on the Great Plains.

This dazzling tribute to that famous note was struck in one full ounce of highly pure 99.9% fine silver and features Ultra-High Relief (UHR) detail on BOTH sides. While the obverse features the portrait of Running Antelope, the reverse shows the image of an American Bison taken from the famous 1901 $10 note. To achieve this level of relief, each planchet was hand-fed into the minting press one at a time and stamped at least THREE TIMES! And to make that detail stand out even more, each coin was liberally treated with a unique antique finish that adds a depth and dimension to the stoic portrait that makes it appears as if it were a classic bas relief sculpture you’d expect to see only in a museum. This process is typically done by hand, meaning that no two coins are exactly alike!