AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY ILLUSTRATED BY CONTEMPORARY MEDALS

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The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 13

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Clain-Stefanelli 15025*, Davis 99, Grierson 268, Sigler 232

“Medals are original documents in metal,” notes the preface of Betts. Thus, the six hundred plus medals here catalogued serve as tangible evidence of the American experience from the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries. The beginnings are humble, for America remained unhonored in medallic form until well after the age of Columbus, surprisingly unable to compete with lesser European subjects. Even then, the first allusion, in 1556, is merely set within the context of Spanish hegemony. The end, of course, gets better for the Americans, as a host of issues extol the Independence of 1776. In between, Betts describes everything from Admiral Vernons to Proclamations to Indian Peace Medals, a comprehensive European view of American history for the period covered. Editorial notes posthumously prepared by William Marvin and Lyman Low add useful citations of the American Journal Of Numismatics (#11) and other sources. Betts has only occasional engraved illustrations – an updated version with substantial photography would be a thoroughly welcome addition to the literature (Davis notes additional photo illustrations in the 1972 Quarterman reprint). As it is, Betts remains the greatest work - solely dedicated to medals - in the library of the American medal collector.

1^st Edition

BETTS, Charles W. AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY ILLUSTRATED BY CONTEMPORARY MEDALS.
New York, NY: 1894
332pp, illustrated
Octavo: 24 x 15
Hardbound: Crimson cloth, paper spine label

A 4 page 'Prospectus', lettered in red and black is available. ^[1]

1^st Edition, Limited

BETTS, Charles W. AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY ILLUSTRATED BY CONTEMPORARY MEDALS.
New York, NY: 1894
332pp, illustrated
Octavo: 24 x 15.5
Hardbound: Brown cloth, lettered in gilt, gilt William Penn medal on cover

The limited edition also included a three-quarter frontispiece portrait of Admiral Vernon.

Limited edition seen in green cloth with a paper spine label. ^[2]

2^nd Printing

BETTS, Charles W. AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY ILLUSTRATED BY CONTEMPORARY MEDALS.
New York, NY: 1894
332pp, illustrated
Octavo: 24 x 15.5
Hardbound: Brown cloth, paper spine label

1964 Reprint

Winnepeg, CAN: Canadian Numismatic Publishing Institute, 1964
332pp, illustrated
Octavo: 24 x 15.5
Hardbound: Blue cloth, lettered in gilt

1970 Reprint

Unknown: Benchmark, 1970 ^[3]
332pp, illustrated
Octavo
Hardbound: Maroon cloth, lettered in gilt

1972 Reprint

Lawrence, MA: Quarterman, 1972
369pp, illustrated
Octavo
Hardbound: Crimson cloth, lettered in gilt

The Quarterman reprint includes added illustrations, a price guide and twenty six additional plates.

References

1. ↑ Charles Davis. Mail Bid Sale January 31, 2009, Lot 42.
2. ↑ George Frederick Kolbe. Mail Bid Sale #41 October 3, 1989, Lot 46.
3. ↑ Fred L. Lake. Mail Bid Sale #66 December 3, 2002, Lot H4.