1720 Founding of Louisbourg Medal. Betts-144. Bronze. MS-62 BN (PCGS).
41.3 mm. 406.5 grains. Plain edge. Deep honey-tan with darker mottling across both sides. The medals struck in this somewhat brassy composition at the Paris Mint often have planchet voids, usually at the periphery, and this piece shows this phenomenon at the base of the reverse exergue, at the truncation of the bust, and a few places outside the border at the rim. The rims are slightly filed in areas, as issued at the Paris Mint. The devices are sharp, no major marks are present, and only a few little flecks of verdigris are noted, including one on the cheek. This is the classic original Louisbourg Founded medal, with the form of the bust likely used when this medal was first issued. When Parks Canada chose to make replicas of this medal for use and distribution at Fortress Louisbourg, this was the form they chose. Despite its historical importance, this is a scarce medal. The last one we sold, a PCGS MS-63 BN, sold in our August 2023 sale for $4,560. Before that, we hadn't offered one in nearly a decade.
From the Joe Foster Collection. Earlier ex John Kraljevich, June 2014.

Estimate: $1500