Chief Joseph Silver Proof

The wise and eloquent leader of the Nez Perce people for more than twenty years, Chief Joseph was born in Oregon's Wallowa Valley in 1840.

As a result of Chief Joseph's careful stewardship, the Nez Perce were a remarkably prosperous tribe. When provoked to fight, however, Chief Joseph demonstrated his strength as a warrior and a military strategist.

In 1877, he led his band of 700 warriors against 2,000 U.S. soldiers in a valiant stand to preserve the traditional way of life of the Nez Perce. After more than three months of intense fighting, he surrendered on behalf of his outnumbered tribe, offering what has become one of the most famous military speeches in history.

This coin honors Chief Joseph, the indomitable voice of the Nez Perce, whose actions were always grounded in the best interests of his people. The obverse contains a rendering of the distinguished leader of the Nez Perce. The reverse features a buffalo standing inside a dream catcher, a Native American cultural icon still in use today.

According to Native American legend, dream catchers - which are made by stretching a web of sinew strands across a small wooden hoop - are designed to capture only those spirits that give life to the tribe, leaving all others to pass through its small holes.

Minted in .999 pure silver, this proof-quality coin is sealed in a tarnish-resistant Lucite capsule. Each coin comes displayed an attractive leatherette presentation box and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.