1783 Silver Medal Betts-608, Peace of Versailles

Coin Details

Auction Record

$8,400 MS63 03-29-2023 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1783 silver medal (Betts-608) celebrates the Peace of Versailles, marking the end of the American Revolutionary War and the broader European conflict. The Peace of Versailles resolved the global dimensions of the war that had begun as an American colonial rebellion and expanded to involve France, Spain, the Netherlands, and the League of Armed Neutrality against Britain. The silver composition makes this a premium commemorative of one of the most consequential diplomatic events in modern history. The 1783 peace established the territorial boundaries of the new United States, confirmed American independence, and rearranged colonial possessions around the world. Many Betts medals exist in multiple metal compositions struck from the same dies, as mints typically produced gold or silver presentations for dignitaries alongside bronze or copper versions for wider distribution. The Betts catalog's coverage of the peace medals documents how this momentous event was celebrated across Europe.

Rarity Notes

Original 1783 silver. Peace of Versailles. Historically significant. Scarce.

Cross References

Betts-608; Peace of Versailles 1783; end of American Revolution