Catalog Reference

Herrera 6
Van Loon I, 8

Engraver: Unknown
Composition: Silver (Cast)
Size: 34.7 to 35.4 mm, 1.3 mm thick
Weight: 13.20 to 13.70 grams
Edge: Plain

All examples of this medal were chased or re-engraved at the time of casting to improve detail, as well as most cast medal of the period. This is the first medal described by C. Wyllys Betts. It features the new king of Spain, Philip II, and his father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, with the titles they assumed just prior to the signing of the Treaty of Vaucelles with France on February 5, 1556.

Charles V, the grandson of Columbus' patrons Ferdinand and Isabella, gave the crown of Spain to his son Philip on January 16, 1556. Philip had previously attempted to bring about peace with France and the papacy by his marriage to Queen Mary of England (Mary I, "Bloody Mary"), but upon the failure of that union he was left with truce as the only option to bring peace to the conflict that had raged since 1551, known alternatively as the Italian War of 1551 and the Habsburg-Valois War. During the war, France had invaded Puerto Rico and Cuba and the Spaniards had maneuvered in the French territory of Newfoundland and its Grand Banks. By the Peace of Vaucelles, France could only trade with the Spanish possessions in the Caribbean by permission of the crown and the territory of Franche-Comte was relinquished to Philip. This peace, however, was short-lived and the conflict would continue for another three years until finally concluded with the Peace of Cateau-Cambresis signed between Philip and Henry II of France on April 3, 1559.

This medal was issued around the time of the Peace of Vaucelles, when Charles V remained Holy Roman Emperor and his son Philip proclaimed himself "King of Spain and the New Western World." Betts-1 is of the highest historical importance and is a remarkable memorial of the earliest era of European settlement in North America.

"PHILIPPVS HISPANIAR ET NOVI ORBIS OCCIDVI REX" translates to "Philip, King of Spain and of the New Western World"

"IMP CAES CAROLVS V AVG" translates to "Charles V, Emperor, Cæsar, Augustus."
 

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the November 2016 Baltimore Auction, where it realized $12,925.