1779 Copper Medal Betts-563, Rhode Island

Coin Details

Description

This 1779 copper medal (Betts-563) is the Rhode Island medal, also known as the "Vlugtende" (fleeing) medal, produced in the Netherlands to commemorate events related to the British occupation and eventual evacuation of Newport, Rhode Island. The British had occupied Newport since December 1776, and the failed Franco-American attempt to recapture it in August 1778 was followed by the British evacuation in October 1779. The Dutch produced several medals relating to the American Revolution, as the Netherlands was sympathetic to the American cause and would enter the war against Britain in 1780. Colonial-era medals were produced at royal mints, private workshops, and jewelers' studios across Europe, with production quality ranging from masterfully engraved official issues to crudely cast provincial pieces. The Rhode Island medal is one of the most historically significant Dutch-American pieces in the Betts catalog, documenting European interest in specific American military operations.

Rarity Notes

Original 1779 copper. Rhode Island / Dutch-American medal. Historically significant. Scarce.

Cross References

Betts-563; Rhode Island medal; Newport; Dutch-American; Vlugtende