(1747) AV Medal Betts-382, Anson's Voyage MS(PCGS#613146)

August 2023 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

8075

等级

MS61

价格

209,714

详细说明

Famous 1747 George Lord Anson Medal in Gold 1747 French Fleet Defeated Off Cape Finisterre / Lord Anson's Circumnavigation of the Globe Medal. Betts-382. Gold, 43.1 mm. MS-61 (PCGS). 658.1 grains. A magnificent piece, one of just 50 struck at the time, marking Lord Anson's heroic circumnavigation of the globe and his 1747 victory against a French fleet near Spain. During his four-year circumnavigation, not only did Anson's fleet terrorize Spanish possessions all over South and Central America, but Anson also became fabulously wealthy by capturing the China-bound Nuestra Señora de Covadongaand the more than 1.3 million Spanish 8 reales she carried. Thomas Pingo designed this majestic medal, patterning the obverse after a "copper coin of Augustus," as reported by Betts. Eimer suggests this medal wasn't struck until 1768 and notes that none other than Voltaire received a gold specimen of this medal in 1769. This example is struck in rich yellow gold, deeply lustrous and flashy on both sides. Some hairlines are seen, along with a scattering of nicks, but nothing disfiguring either individually or in toto. The obverse marks Anson's victory on May 3, 1747, while the reverse celebrates the officers who were aboard his flagship Centurion for its around-the-world journey. Ford owned two of these, acquired in English auctions in 1964 and 1966. We resold the other one in 2009. Since the Ford sale, we also offered one in the John Sallay sale of November 2016 and a mounted specimen from the Ted Craige Collection in January 2013. John Adams' example was sold at Heritage in January 2014. Provenance: From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from Sotheby's sale of December 1964, lot 60; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIV, May 2006, Lot 441. To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click here. PCGS# 613146.