1781 Silver Medal Betts-585, Battle of Doggersbank

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,680 MS60 11-21-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1781 silver medal (Betts-585) commemorates the Battle of Dogger Bank, fought on August 5, 1781 between British and Dutch naval squadrons in the North Sea. The battle was a fierce and bloody engagement that ended inconclusively — both sides claimed victory but withdrew to repair extensive damage. The Dutch squadron under Vice Admiral Johan Zoutman fought the British under Vice Admiral Hyde Parker to a tactical standstill, a result that was celebrated in the Netherlands as proof that the Dutch navy could still stand against the Royal Navy. 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. Betts-585 is one of several medals (Betts-585 through Betts-590) commemorating this engagement from different perspectives, reflecting the battle's significance in Dutch national consciousness.

Rarity Notes

Original 1781 silver. Battle of Dogger Bank. First of several variants. Scarce.

Cross References

Betts-585; Battle of Dogger Bank 1781; Zoutman; Anglo-Dutch War