Stack's Bowers Galleries

March 2021 Auction  –  24 - 27 March 2021

Stack's Bowers Galleries, March 2021 Auction

Live Sessions: US Coins and Banknotes

Part 1: We, 24.03.2021, from 7:00 PM CET
Part 2: Th, 25.03.2021, from 5:00 PM CET
Part 3: Th, 25.03.2021, from 10:00 PM CET
Part 4: Fr, 26.03.2021, from 2:00 AM CET
Part 5: Fr, 26.03.2021, from 5:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.

Description

Early American and Betts Medals

1602 Dutch-Spanish New World Rivalry Medal. Unsigned. Betts-21, Van Loon I:548. Silver. Choice Extremely Fine.

51 mm. 45.73 grams. This is only the third example of this type that we have offered in recent years, and it is finer than the Ford XIII:675 specimen that realized an impressive $12,650 in our (Stack's) January 2006 sale. Wonderfully original surfaces are warmly and evenly toned in steel-olive, subtle mauve undertones evident to the persistent viewer. The strike is well centered and sharply executed, all design elements retaining bold to sharp detail in the absence of all but light friction. A few marks are scattered about, most are small in size or otherwise insignificant, although a moderate nick above the horse's forelegs will serve as a useful identifier. The obverse legend celebrates Dutch ability to do whatever can be done when needed. On the reverse, Philip II of Spain's horse leaps into the New World closely pursued by the lion of Dutch Zeeland. The legend on the latter side may be translated as, ''The world is not so big that where you go I cannot follow,'' alluding to Dutch rivalry with Spain for the towns of the West Indies and Brazilian coast. An important medal with the clearest connection to the larger history of the western hemisphere than any seen in Betts to this point. The rivalry between the two nations lasted the better part of the century to come.

Estimate: $ 4000

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Bidding

Price realized 3'400 USD
Starting price 1 USD
The auction is closed.
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