2814

Betts, Charles Wyllys. American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Publications & Supplies Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:30.00 - 50.00 USD
Betts, Charles Wyllys. American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals
SOLD
45.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2019 May 26 @ 12:04UTC-7 : PDT/MST
PLEASE NOTE: You must request a bid limit when you register. If you would like to have a large bid limit, you must provide adequate references, or you must have previously established strong credit history with our company. Late registration may result in delayed approval.
Betts, Charles Wyllys, American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals, Winnipeg, Canada, 1964 Canadian Numismatic Publishing Institute reprint of the 1894 original, 332 pages, hardcover. This book is an examination of medals concerning the American New World, most of which were issued and struck in the Old World. It is a fascinating journey that Mr. Betts takes us on (he actually died before the book was finally published by his brother in the year 1894) which begins with "The Period of Discovery " covering the years 1556-1631. Yup, you read the date correctly: 1556. It is a medal honoring 'King Phillip II of Spain: King of the New World' issued in cast silver, size 22, struck to commemorate his accession to the throne. Other chapter headings included are 'The Period of Colonization 1632-1737'; 'The Period of Intercolonial Wars 1745-1763'; 'The Period of the Revolutionary War 1763-1775'; 'The Independence of America Recognized 1782-1786.' There are three other chapters that focus on specific issuers/subjects: Vernon medals, Ferdinand VI and Charles III. Due to historical circumstance, obviously, the book has no specific national focus. Medals listed come from all over Europe and some from the New World. Each entry is accompanied by a brief but adequate description, and there are some (woefully few) black and white line drawing reproductions of the medals, because the standards of printing were different back then than they are today, when it is a relatively easy thing to include black &white or color reproductions within the leaves of a book. The author also gives a bit of historical background as well. Surprisingly, this book holds up quite well even after the progression of more than a century, which is a huge accomplishment for which the late Mr. Betts deserves a medal himself. If you are a medals collector from the US you will eventually encounter medals listed here by Mr. Betts under their given 'Betts Number' which consists of 623 different medals (with metallic content not distinguished, i.e. silver, bronze, gold, white metal, pewter, etc., all receiving the same underlying Betts number).