Betts-481
1760 Mexico City, Mexico Proclamation Medal of Charles III
Catalog Reference
Grove-K-6
Herrera, Charles III, 83
Medina-92
O'Crowley, p. 407
Perez Varela, p. 28
Rosa-99
Engraver: A. B. Madero
Composition: Silver
Size: 43.95 to 44.0 mm
Weight: 36.01 to 38.49 grams
Edge: Lettered "MERCIBUS MERCEDIBUS CONSVULIT UIRGA AEQUITATIS VIRGA REGNI SUI."
The obverse of this medal shows an armored draped bust of Charles III facing the right. On the reverse is the Arms of the Consulado. This medal uses the same dies as Grove-K-6 but with the edge lettering of Grove-K-7v. In appearance, it is similar to Betts-480. In the Betts reference, the author mentions that the final word on the reverse, CONSVLATUS, means a "rod of equity", and is an illusion to Psalms 45:6, which says "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice." This illusion was meant to reinforce the idea that King Charles III would be a benevolent king that ruled with mercy.
The example to the left was sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries in the January 2015 NYINC Auction, where it realized $1,057.