Coins of the Creek

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Kelley's Coins
PO Box 501225
Atlanta GA 31150

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The Poarch Creek Indians is a segment of the original Creek Nation, which avoided removal and has lived together for nearly 150 years. Despite the policy of removal of Southeastern Indians to Oklahoma, an indeterminate number of Creeks remained in Alabama. The Creek Nation originally occupied a territory covering nearly all of Georgia and Alabama. The War of 1812 divided the Creek Nation between an Upper party hostile to the United States and a group of Upper and Lower Creeks friendly to the Government. The United States provided military assistance when hostilities erupted from 1813 to 1814. Upon victory of the friendly Creek party and their Federal allies, the Creek Nation reluctantly agreed to an enormous cession of land to the United States.

The treaty compelled the Creek nation to cede much of the territory of those friendly to the United States including the present site of Poarch. Those Creeks who had actively fought with the United States were permitted a land grant of one square mile.

Several Creek families, including the Gibsons, Manacs, Colberts and Weatherfords, secured reservations immediately after the treaty. Others, such as Semoice and Lynn McGhee, were unable to file their selections. In 1836, Congress passed an Act allowing Lynn McGhee and the others to set aside 640 acres as reservations under the 1814 Treaty of Fort Jackson.

The United States continued to protect the Poarch settlement after the removal of the main Creek body to Oklahoma in 1836. The Government halted the Escambia County, Alabama, Tax Assessor’s illegal taxation of the Federal Trust Land in Poarch in 1920, and instigated litigation which continued to 1925, to penalize trespassers who had cut timber on the grant land. Despite the treaty rights and the fact that no further legislation was passes by Congress, patents were issued for land in 1924.

Today, there are nearly 1,840 members of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians of which over 1,000 live in the vicinity of Poarch, Alabama (eight miles northwest of Atmore, Alabama, in rural Escambia County, and 57 miles east of Mobile). A 1972 national study found that among all Creek descendants in the Southeast, only this group at Poarch is still "considered an Indian Community."

Since the early 1900’s organized efforts have increased to improve the social and economic situation of the Poarch Creeks. Important educational gains were made in the 1940’s. A leader of this effort, Calvin W. McGhee, also pressed for a settlement of a land claims case. Eddie L. Tullis, Tribal Chairman as of 1978, led the Poarch Creek Indians in their petitioning the United States Government to recognize a government-to-government relationship. On August 11, 1984, these efforts culminated in the United States Government, Department of Interior, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs acknowledging that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians exists as an "Indian Tribe." The Tribe is the only Federally recognized Tribe in the State of Alabama. On November 21, 1984, 231.54 acres of land were taken into trust. On April 12, 1985, 229.54 acres were declared a Reservation.

Want to learn more about the Creek Indians?
Visit the website of Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Tribal Chairman Eddie L. Tullis authorized the issuance of their first coins in 2004 to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Recognition of the Sovereign Nation of Poarch Creek Indians by the United States. Only 10,000 Gem Proof “Peace” Silver Dollars were authorized & 20,000 BU “Peace” Silver Dollars. These contain 1 oz. of pure silver.

The proof coin comes in a pouch embossed with the logo of the Sovereign Nation of Poarch Creek Indians, and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. There is also a two coin set consisting of a proof “Peace” Silver Dollar and a BU “Peace” Silver Dollar. The 2 coins come in a very nice gift case with a certificate of authenticity for both coins. The case has an outer slip on sleeve embossed with the logo of the Sovereign Nation of Poarch Creek Indians (as pictured below).

In addition to the “Peace” Silver Dollars, the tribe also issued a "Pow Wow" set of BU & Proof coins. Like the "Peace" coins, the mintage of the "Pow Wow" coins was limited to only 10,000 of the proof & 20,000 of the BU coins and each coin contains 1 oz of pure silver.

Like the Shawnee tribe, the Poarch Creek Indians also released a proof gold "Pow Wow" coin with a face value of $5. The coin consists of 1/5 oz of pure gold and comes in a pouch with a certificate of authenticity. Only a few of the gold coins were authorized and they are considered very rare. .

Not satisfied with mere silver & gold, the tribe also decided to take things one step further and issued the very first palladium coin ever to be issued anywhere in the United States. Only 250 “Pow Wow” Palladium $10 face value coins were authorized. Featured on the coin is a young Sky Dancer and five tribal chiefs. These coins contain 1/2 ounce of pure .9995 palladium and come in a presentation box embossed with the logo of the Sovereign Nation of Poarch Creek Indians, and the coin is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Distribution of these palladium coins is restricted to only 3 dealers in the entire world, one of which is Kelley's Coins.

Finally, prior to any of the silver, gold or palladium coins being minted, the Poarch Creek tribe issued a trial strike consisting of a cupro-nickel metal and struck with the obverse of the "Peace" coin and the reverse of the "Pow Wow" coin, making it the only intentional "muled" coin ever issued in the US. Only 2500 of these trial strikes were made and one was given to every member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, leaving a mere 200 left for the public. Kelley's Coins owns half of that total public mintage now.

Gift Box for Two of the 1 ounce Silver Poarch Creek Indian Coins

Mix and match any way you like, making your set unique and all the more treasured. You can put a BU & Proof Peace Silver Dollar in the gift case or you can put a BU & Proof Pow Wow Silver Dollar in a case. Alternately you can really mix things up by putting both BU coins or both Proof coins in a case. Have it your way.