American Revolutionary War (1775-1782), Betts 538-601

About This Coin

Documenting the military struggle for American independence through the medallic arts, Betts numbers 538 through 601 encompass the Revolutionary War period from the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 through the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 and the subsequent peace negotiations. This group includes some of the most historically resonant medals in American numismatics: congressional medals voted by the Continental Congress to honor military commanders including George Washington, Horatio Gates, Anthony Wayne, and the Marquis de Lafayette; French commemorative medals celebrating the alliance that proved decisive at Yorktown; British medals (some satirical) commenting on the war's progress; and Dutch and other European issues reflecting the international dimensions of the conflict. A notable auction result reached $960,000 in SP63 grade at Stack's Bowers — placing certain medals from this group among the most valuable American numismatic objects of any type. The artistic quality of the finest Revolutionary War medals is extraordinary, with leading European engravers such as Augustin Dupre commissioned to produce designs of enduring beauty and historical significance. Metal compositions include gold presentation strikes of extreme rarity, silver, and bronze, with bronze being the most commonly available for most congressional and commemorative types. C. Wyllys Betts organized this material with particular care, recognizing that the Revolutionary War medals constitute the dramatic climax of the colonial medal narrative, and his catalog entries provide essential provenance and historical context for each piece. Collectors should be aware that the most important types exist in multiple striking periods — original issues, contemporaneous restrikes, and nineteenth-century restrikes — and that striking period significantly affects both historical importance and market value. Authentication and provenance documentation are critical for any major purchase in this category.