1702 Bronze Medal Betts-97, Expedition To Vigo Bay

Coin Details

Auction Record

$960 SP66BN 11-06-2020 Heritage Auctions

Description

This 1702 bronze medal, Betts-97, is a bronze issue of the Vigo Bay expedition medal. The expedition to Vigo Bay was one of the opening military actions of the War of the Spanish Succession in the Atlantic theater, setting the tone for the maritime dimension of a conflict that would last over a decade. The bronze composition indicates broader distribution, allowing the commemoration to reach a wide audience including soldiers, sailors, and citizens who followed naval affairs. The Betts series documents the full arc of European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere, from the earliest Spanish exploration medals through the diplomatic pieces marking American independence. The medal series commemorating Vigo Bay collectively represents one of the most thoroughly documented naval engagements in eighteenth-century numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Bronze issue for broader distribution.

Cross References

Betts-97 (bronze)