1773 Silver Medal Betts-522, Lord Chatham

Coin Details

Auction Record

$960 XF45 11-30-2021 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1773 silver medal (Betts-522) is the silver version of the Lord Chatham medal, carrying greater material value and scarcity than the bronze (PCGS #615036). Lord Chatham's defense of American liberties in the House of Lords made him a hero in the colonies, though his efforts to prevent the break between Britain and America ultimately failed. The silver composition indicates this was produced for a more exclusive audience — collectors, officials, or presentation purposes. Chatham collapsed in the House of Lords in April 1778 while making an impassioned speech about the American war and died shortly after, making him a martyr in some eyes to the cause of Anglo-American reconciliation. The survival rate of colonial-era medals varies dramatically by material and original production quantity, with gold presentations being the rarest and bronze issues struck in larger quantities being relatively more available to collectors. Silver medals honoring Chatham are scarcer than bronze and command significant premiums.

Rarity Notes

Original 1773 silver. Lord Chatham silver is considerably scarcer than bronze. Rare.

Cross References

Betts-522; Lord Chatham; silver variant 1773