(1715) Gold Medal Betts-111, Society of Merchants

Coin Details

Auction Record

$24,000 AU Details 08-24-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This gold medal, Betts-111, commemorates the Society of Merchants around 1715. The Society of Merchants was connected to colonial trade ventures during the early eighteenth century, when European commercial companies played central roles in developing New World territories. The gold composition marks this as an extremely prestigious piece, almost certainly a presentation medal for high-ranking officials or major investors in colonial trade. The post-Treaty of Utrecht period saw rapid growth in Atlantic commerce, with British, French, and Dutch merchants expanding their operations in the Americas. European medallic art of this era served as an official record of imperial achievements, with court-appointed medalists crafting pieces that communicated territorial claims and military victories to educated audiences across the continent. This gold medal documents the commercial infrastructure that supported colonial development.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare in gold. Presentation piece of the highest prestige.

Cross References

Betts-111