We’ve previously seen a photo of one of the replicas of an Astor medal that I found on line. I’ve since acquired my own copy of one of these replicas and the photos here are much clearer.

Click image for a 2.3-MB PDF of the front and back of this medal.

The original Astor medals were made in about 1832 for members of the American Fur Company working in the upper Missouri River to give as gifts to Native Americans. Only seven medals are known to exist today; five are in museums and two are in private hands, one of which has sold for more than $200,000.

Clicking this image will download the same PDF as the previous image.

In 1926, Great Northern president Ralph Budd asked Margaret Cable, the director of the ceramics department at the University of North Dakota, to make replicas of the medal to give to members of the Columbia River Historical Expedition. The medals came with beads (probably also ceramic) and a string so they could be worn as pendents.

The front of each medal had an image of John Jacob Astor with the note that it showed the “President of the American Fur Company.” Surrounding the replica is a frame denoting “Columbia River Historical Expedition 1926.”

The back had an image of clasped hands framed by tomahawks and peace pipes. Also imprinted are the words “Fort Union,” “Peace and Friendship,” and “U.M.O.” referring to the Upper Missouri Outfit of the American Fur Company. The frame around the medal says “University of North Dakota – North Dakota Clay.” The University of North Dakota School of Mines developed local clays for use in pottery by students in the ceramics department.

Besides the railroad history, I have another connection with this medal. My mother went to the University of North Dakota in the 1940s and since Margaret Cable worked there until 1949 it is remotely possible that they met. Whether they did or not, I’m pleased to have this example of North Dakota and railroad history.