Geronimo Silver Bar

Continuing this series of bars featuring Native American chiefs, we now come to Geronimo. He wasn't actually a chief (despite what the bar says), but did lead various bands of Apaches at various points throughout his life. He spent a large portion of his life in conflict, both with Mexican and American soldiers. It all started when a group of Mexican soldiers slaughtered his camp, including his family, while he was trading in town. He carried a vendetta against Mexicans for the rest of his life and often attacked groups of Mexicans on sight.

He also had entanglements with American forces throughout his life. He was keenly opposed to the settlement of the Southwest by white settlers. He and his forces carried out raids, but were eventually captured and forced onto a reservation. Then they would escape and begin the cycle all over again. This pattern repeated itself many times, until eventually Geronimo surrendered and was taken as a POW. He was eventually given a plot of land, and began farming.

By this time, he was a bit of a celebrity, with a reputation as a savage, fueled by years of sensationalist newspaper accounts of his raids. So, he spent the rest of his life making public appearances, and earning money by selling his personal items. On his deathbed, he expressed regret that he ever surrendered, saying he should have fought to the death instead.

Not a terribly fitting end to a fierce warrior, who was pushed into a life of conflict. But he's forever immortalized in this awesome 20 gram silver bar. I think this is my favorite one in the series.