1781 Silver Medal Betts-573, Armed Neutrality

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,920 MS63 04-03-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1781 silver medal (Betts-573) is another Armed Neutrality piece, extending the series from 1780 (Betts-571, -572) into 1781. The League of Armed Neutrality continued to exert diplomatic pressure on Britain throughout the later years of the Revolution, with additional nations joining the alliance and strengthening the principle of neutral trading rights. By 1781, the diplomatic isolation of Britain was nearly complete — France, Spain, and the Netherlands were actively at war with Britain, and the Armed Neutrality countries refused to support British naval policies. 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 silver medal documents the continuation and strengthening of this anti-British diplomatic coalition during the year that would see the decisive British defeat at Yorktown.

Rarity Notes

Original 1781 silver. Armed Neutrality continuation. Scarce.

Cross References

Betts-573; Armed Neutrality 1781; neutral trading rights