Catalog Reference

B-49, No. 885

Betts-540 is a medal of which little is known. The first recorded instance of this medal was in 1861 when the Historical Magazine, Volume V, Page 340 mentioned that the medal has been noticed at a meeting of the Boston Numismatic Society in October 1861. It was shown as a "remarkable piece lately found in Philadelphia". Later on, the Charles Bushnell sale would feature an example which he noted as coming from the Mickley cabinet. Bushnell notes for us that there are only 2 known in copper and that the die is cracked. Other accounts from Mr. Appleton show that an impression was taken on this medal in a Society meeting on March 1874. However, Mr. Appleton notes that the medal used for an impression was made out of silver and not copper. There are some facts which remain unclear about this medal; one being the fact that Bushnell recorded the reverse showing 13 stars, while Appleton records it with 15 stars. This leads to speculation that there could be multiple dies or varieties of this piece. There is one thing for certain, though, and that is that we may never have a clear answer since this medal is so rare.