Betts Medals (1580-1784)

About This Series

Spanning over two centuries of European engagement with the Americas, Betts Medals encompass the medallic record of exploration, colonization, warfare, and diplomacy as cataloged by C. Wyllys Betts in his landmark 1894 reference. The series begins with medals commemorating Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation and extends through French and Indian War campaigns and the early years of American independence. These medals were produced by the royal mints and private medalists of France, England, Spain, and the Netherlands, each celebrating their nation's achievements in the Americas. The Betts catalog numbers — Betts-1 through Betts-615 — provide the standard classification system. Struck in gold, silver, bronze, and tin across a wide range of sizes, these medals document everything from the founding of Jamestown and Quebec to the peace treaties that redrew colonial boundaries after each European conflict. For collectors, Betts Medals offer tangible connections to the great events that shaped the Western Hemisphere, and the series accommodates specialists in virtually any period of colonial American history.