1781 Silver Medal Betts-588, Battle of Doggersbank

Coin Details

Auction Record

$1,140 MS62PL 11-18-2020 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1781 silver medal (Betts-588) is another Dogger Bank commemorative, a different design from Betts-585 (PCGS #926053) but celebrating the same August 5, 1781 naval engagement. The proliferation of Dogger Bank medals (Betts-585 through -590 plus variants) reflects the enormous significance of the battle in Dutch public opinion. For a nation whose naval glory had faded since the seventeenth century, the Dutch navy's ability to fight the Royal Navy to a standstill was a source of immense national pride. Medallic commemoration of colonial events was not limited to military victories — treaties, explorations, trading company foundings, missionary activities, and colonial administrative milestones all received medallic recognition. Each medal variant was produced by different engravers or commissioned by different civic or military authorities, creating a rich medallic record of how the battle was commemorated across Dutch society.

Rarity Notes

Original 1781 silver. Dogger Bank variant Betts-588. Scarce.

Cross References

Betts-588; Battle of Dogger Bank 1781; Dutch commemorative