1783 Peace of Versailles Medal. Betts-608. Silver, 45.0 mm. AU-50 (PCGS).

Acquired by Syd from our March 2012 Baltimore sale, where we described it as follows: "Dramatic toning in shades of pastel blue, amber gold, and pale violet covers the obverse, more subtle on the reverse. Some hints of luster remain around obverse devices, though the surfaces are finely abraded, consistent with jewelry use. A central depression on the edge atop the medal suggests the former presence of a bezel. Good eye appeal, no bad marks, pleasant considering its use as a display item in its era. A popular issue, called the 'French Libertas Americana' despite the fact that it was engraved by Johann Oexlein at Nuremberg. Extremely elusive in silver, far rarer in this format than the usually seen white metal issue. Ford owned just one despite his fondness for duplicates. The obverse design, featuring Louis XVI gesturing to a 13-striped shield being hung on a pillar topped with a Dutch-style 'free hat' reveals some European attitudes about the American victory. An important historical type." In the decade since we sold this piece, we've sold just two other silver examples of Betts-608 (though, oddly, we've sold them both twice, as both were acquired by Martin Logies for the Cardinal Collection). White metal specimens were more than five times more numerous.

PCGS# 614355.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex the Jim Jones Collection; our sale of March 2012, lot 1048.