1772 Captain Cook / Resolution and Adventure Medal. Betts-552. Bronzed copper, 44 mm. AU-58 (PCGS).

611.6 grains. Plain edge. Second reverse die. Even rarer than the silver examples, this bronzed copper format is the rarest composition of the Resolution and Adventure medals. We record just four: LaRiviere II:2132, Ford XIV:463, Spink Australia 3-88:987, and this one. In the 2006 Ford sale, the last public auction offering of this type, it was noted that Ford's piece (ex Seaby in 1972) was the only one seen by him in 60 years of collecting. This example displays fine mahogany bronzed patina, with some darker contrasting toning around the design elements. The surfaces show some microscopic contact marks, none individually significant. The overall visual appeal is excellent, and the grade is arguably a bit on the conservative side. This appears to be the sixth auction appearance of one of these in the last 40 or more years.

From the Richard Margolis Collection. Earlier from Spink & Son's Sale 121, October 1997, lot 893.

Estimate: $8000