Catalog Reference

Benjamin Betts-9
Grove-K-35
Herrera, Charles III, 64
Medina-71
Perez Varela, p. 24
Rosa-71 and 72

Engraver: Unknown
Composition: Silver (Struck)
Size: 15.0 to 20.6 mm
Weight: 1.33 to 3.21 grams

The obverse of Betts-462 features a young bust of Charles III facing the right side of the medal and surrounded by text. On the reverse is the Guatemala Arms, which shows a rider on a horse placed above the two mountain peaks. The new King was proclaimed on July 25, 1760. Medals were issued at the ceremony in sizes of 1/2 Real, 1 Real, 2 Reales, and 4 Reales. Most, if not all, of these medals are holed at the top for suspension. During the time of the King's proclamation in Guatemala, there was no Royal Ambassador due to the death of Juan Batres, who would have appointed the ambassador. Juan Ortiz de Letona, the oldest councilor and chief courier of the kingdom, served as his replacement. Juan Ortiz de Letona gave the people three types of currency, called missilia munera, as an act of Proclamation (referring to the present Betts medals). The people collected these Proclamation medals and held them as if they were treasures because the name of their honorable Monarch was engraved on them. This is according to Batres work, Relación de las Fiestas (1761).

The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the November 2023 World Collectors Choice Onlin Auction, where it realized $1,440.