1720 Medal Betts-145, Damascened Founding of Louisbourg

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,645 MS63 11-02-2016 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1720 medal, Betts-145 in damascened finish, is a variant of the Louisbourg founding medal with decorative damascening, a technique of inlaying different metals to create contrasting patterns. Damascened medals are among the most visually striking pieces in numismatics, combining the medallic art with decorative metalwork traditions. The damascened finish elevates this piece from a standard medal to a work of decorative art, intended as a special presentation or display piece. The iconographic vocabulary of colonial medals drew heavily on classical mythology and allegory, with figures representing continents, rivers, virtues, and vices arranged in compositions that conveyed complex political messages. The combination of historical significance (documenting French colonial fortification) with exceptional decorative technique makes this variant particularly desirable to collectors.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Damascened medals are exceptionally uncommon and visually distinctive.

Cross References

Betts-145 (damascened)