1631 Capture of Pernambuco Medal. Betts-31. Silver, 67.7 mm. Uncirculated Details--Edge Repaired (PCGS).
770.5 grains. A handsome example of this large and intricate medal, with superb high relief devices and fine details on both sides. Well made, with good crispness and well accomplished chasing in the fields. Both sides show attractive deep gray and gold toning with some subtle highlights in protected areas. While the edge repair is not immediately visible, we believe what PCGS is seeing is the typical edge filing present on all of these, accomplished at the time this medal was cast. It is possible that something more significant is present under the encapsulation, but we can detect nothing out of the ordinary. The eye appeal, both in terms of produced quality and preservation, is exceptional for one of these. As Betts notes, this medal commemorates "the capture of Pernambuco in Brazil by the Spanish, and the other victories named, by reason of which the Dutch considered themselves masters not only of Brazil, but all of America." The other cited battles are Grol (a.k.a. Groenlo, 1627), Sylver Vloot (1628), Wesel (1629), and, on the obverse, s'Hertoghenbosch (1629), each depicted by a small city view scene. The "Sylver Vloot" or Silver Fleet is a naval scene, depicting the capture of the Spanish treasure fleet of 1628 by Piet Heyn at the Bay of Matanzas, Cuba, giving this medal an added American importance and connection for collectors of Latin American coins of the era.
PCGS# 613688.
To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here.
From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the Ted Craige Estate, October 1982; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIII, January 2006, lot 685; our (Stack's) Philadelphia Americana Sale, September 2009, lot 6016; our 2012 ANA sale, August 2012, lot 4104; Kunker's Auction 327, October 2019, lot 4679.

Estimate: $3500