The Period of Colonization The Period of Colonization

The Period of Colonization

Shortly after the discovery of the New World, European rulers began sending out exploration teams to claim land as colonies. The main settlers came from Spain, England, France, and Scotland. Medals were struck in these countries to commemorate the founding of new land and the accomplishments of those explorers. You will notice that many of these medals represent prayers for peace and prosperity while exploring the New World.

Beginning in 1606, James 1 made a grant to the London Company and the Bristol Company for all of the land lying between the 34th and 45th parallels, from the Atlantic Ocean to the West. The London Company explored to the south of the Chesapeake Bay, and the Bristol Company moved east at the Kennebec River. 14 years later, the Bristol Company received a new charter under the name of The Council of Plymouth in New England and granted land as The New England Company. Another grand was issued by James I to the first Lord of Baltimore, George Calvert, for territory in Newfoundland. There he established the colony of Avalonia. Sir William Alexander, the Earl of Stirling, received a Charter in 1621 for Nova Scotia, where he struck copper coins that eventually circulated in Scotland.

In 1630, Charles I created the colony of Carolina by a Royal grant to Sir Robert Heath for all of the land between the 31st and 36th parallels, from the Atlantic to the South Sea. Charles II later gave charters to various Colonies, noblemen, and gentlemen under the name Carolina. The old grant to Sir Robert Heath was still in effect for this area also.

All of the aforementioned information to say, the London, New England, and Carolina Companies were the main English settlers in America and are commemorated on several of the Betts Medals within this category. As previously mentioned, many of the medals bear prayers for the Lord's preservation from disease and death.

Finally, the French made their first settlement in Canada in 1541 under the exploration of Jacques Cartier who named the settlement St. Lawrence. This was the first settlement of "New France" which is located at present-day Quebec. The first French Medal to allude to their possessions in the New World is the Viceroy D'Ampville medal from 1658, and given the catalog number Betts-39.

The Period of Colonization Betts Medals include Betts-34 to Betts-170.

Betts-421666 French Colony at St. Christopher Restored Medal
Betts-42
1666 French Colony at St. Christopher Restored Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XIIII • REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS • I : MAVGER • F •

Reverse Text:

COLONIA FR • STABILITA • | EX INSULA ST • CHRISTOP • EXTURBAT • M…

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Betts-441670 British Colonization Medal
Betts-44
1670 British Colonization Medal
Obverse Text:

CAROLVS • ET • CATHARINA • REX • ET • REGINA

Reverse Text:

DIFFVSVS • IN • ORBE • BRITANNVS | 1670 +

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Betts-45Undated Queen of Pamunkey Medal
Betts-45
Undated Queen of Pamunkey Medal
Obverse Text:

CHARLES II KING OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND AND VIRGINIA | HONI…

Reverse Text:

None

What to Look For: Image courtesy of © Preservation Virginia, Katherine Wetzel
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Betts-481674 French Colony at Martinique Preserved Medal
Betts-48
1674 French Colony at Martinique Preserved Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | J • MAVGER • F •

Reverse Text:

COLONIA FRANCORUM | CAESIS AC FUGATIS • | M • DC • LXXIIII •

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Betts-501676 Recapture of Cayenne Medal
Betts-50
1676 Recapture of Cayenne Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | J • MAVGER • F •

Reverse Text:

BATAVIS CAESIS • | CAYANA RECUPERATA | M • DC • LXXVI

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Betts-521677 Dutch Fleet Burned at Tobago Medal
Betts-52
1677 Dutch Fleet Burned at Tobago Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | J • MAVGER • F

Reverse Text:

INCENSA BATAVORUM CLASSE • | AD INS • TABAGO • | M • DC • LXXVII…

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Betts-58Undated (1677) Dutch Fleet Burned at Tobago Medal
Betts-58
Undated (1677) Dutch Fleet Burned at Tobago Medal
Obverse Text:

LVDOVICVS • MAGNVS • REX • | LGL

Reverse Text:

INCENSA • BATAVORVM • CLASSE •

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Betts-591677 Tobago Taken by Assault Medal
Betts-59
1677 Tobago Taken by Assault Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | I • MAVGER • F

Reverse Text:

TABAGUM EXPUGNATUM | M • DC • LXXVII

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Betts-62Undated (1682) Our Lady of Guadalupe of Rome Medal
Betts-62
Undated (1682) Our Lady of Guadalupe of Rome Medal
Obverse Text:

N . S . D . GVADALVPE . DE . | MEXICO . OR . PR . N . ROMA . | 1682

Reverse Text:

SAN FRANCESCO . O . P .

What to Look For: Image courtesy of © The Yale University Art Gallery
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Betts-651687 Curaçao Mortuary Medal
Betts-65
1687 Curaçao Mortuary Medal
Obverse Text:

SALIC SYN | DIE DOODEN | DIE IN DEN HEERE | STERVE | WANT SY RÜSTEN VAN |…

Reverse Text:

TER GEDACHTENIS | VAN | ARIANA TOFFETEN | HUYSVROU VAN MATTYS GERKENS |…

What to Look For: Image courtesy of © The Yale University Art Gallery
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Betts-671687 Recovery of Treasure, St. Domingo Medal
Betts-67
1687 Recovery of Treasure, St. Domingo Medal
Obverse Text:

IACOBVS • II • ET • MARIA • D • G • MAG • BRI • FRAN • ET…

Reverse Text:

SEMPER TIBI PENDEAT HAMUS • | NAVFRAGA REPERTA | 1687

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Betts-691690 Quebec Preserved Medal
Betts-69
1690 Quebec Preserved Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | J • MAVGER • F •

Reverse Text:

FRANCIA IN NOVO ORBE VICTRIX | KEBECA LIBERATA | M • DC • XC

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Betts-721690 Quebec Preserved Medal
Betts-72
1690 Quebec Preserved Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | DOLLIN • F •

Reverse Text:

FRANCIA IN NOVO ORBE VICTRIX • | KEBECA LIBERATA | M • DC • XC

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Betts-751693 Louis XIV, Felicitas Domus Augustae Medal
Betts-75
1693 Louis XIV, Felicitas Domus Augustae Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | H • ROVSSEL • F •

Reverse Text:

FELICITAS DOMUS AUGUSTAE | SEREN • DELPH • | • LUD • D • BVRG •…

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Betts-781694 Carolina Elephant Token
Betts-78
1694 Carolina Elephant Token
Obverse Text:

None

Reverse Text:

GOD PRESERVE CAROLINA AND THE LORDS PROPRIETERS | 1694

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Betts-831697 Cartagena Captured Medal
Betts-83
1697 Cartagena Captured Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS MAGNVS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS | J • MAVGER • F •

Reverse Text:

HISPANORUM THESAURI DIREPTI • | CARTHAGO AMERICANA VI CAPTA • | M •…

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Betts-941702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Betts-94
1702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Obverse Text:

HIS MILITAT ÆTHER • | OB CLASSEM HOSTIVM DELETAM | GAZASQVE INDICAS…

Reverse Text:

ET CONIVRATI VENIVNT AD CLASSICA VENTI •

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Betts-951702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Betts-95
1702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Obverse Text:

ANNA • D • G • MAG • BR • FR • ET • HIB • R • | L • G…

Reverse Text:

ANGLORE • ET • BATAV • VIRTVTE | INCENS • CLASSE OPES AMERIC •…

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Betts-961702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Betts-96
1702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Obverse Text:

ANNA • D G • MAG • BR • FR • ET • HIB • REGINA • | I •…

Reverse Text:

HISP • Q • CLASS • EXPUG • COMB • CAPT • | BRIT • BATV • Q…

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Betts-971702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Betts-97
1702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay Medal
Obverse Text:

ANNA • DEI • GRA : MAG : BRI : FRA : ET • HIB : REGINA •

Reverse Text:

CAPTA • ET • INCENSA • GAL : ET • HISP : CLASSE • | AD • VIGVM…

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Betts-1091720 American Aloe Medal
Betts-109
1720 American Aloe Medal
Obverse Text:

FLORERE SATIS

Reverse Text:

NOVA | ALOES AMERICANÆ | ANNOR : XXIV PROGENIES | IN HORTIS SALTZDAL : |…

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Betts-1111715 Society of Merchants Medal
Betts-111
1715 Society of Merchants Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XV • D • G • FR • ET NAV • REX • | DUVIVIER •

Reverse Text:

TOTUS MIHI PERVIUS ORBIS • | INSTITUTO MERCATORUM | COLLEGIO INSULIS |…

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Betts-112Undated (18th Century) Compagnie des Indes Lead Bailing Seal
Betts-112
Undated (18th Century) Compagnie des Indes Lead Bailing Seal
Obverse Text:

FLOREBO QUO FERAR

Reverse Text:

None

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Betts-1131723 Compagnie des Indes Medal
Betts-113
1723 Compagnie des Indes Medal
Obverse Text:

COMPAGNIE DES INDES 1723

Reverse Text:

SPEM AUGET OPESQUE PARAT •

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Betts-1141720 Louisiana is Both a Bank and a Mint Medal
Betts-114
1720 Louisiana is Both a Bank and a Mint Medal
Obverse Text:

LOVISIANA | EST EST | BANCO ET | MONETA | LAVS IN ASTRIS | LAVS IN TERRIS |…

Reverse Text:

INVIDIA | LVCRIPETAS ALLICIS | VANAE VENDITIONE SPEI • | LAVS | QVOD…

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Betts-115Undated (1720) John Law, Credit Is As Dead As A Rat Medal
Betts-115
Undated (1720) John Law, Credit Is As Dead As A Rat Medal
Obverse Text:

BANQVERODT ist A LA MODE | VISIBILIS INVISIBILIS

Reverse Text:

CREDIT | Ift maupetuot | WEXL BRIEFE | MDCCI

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Betts-116Undated (1720) John Law, Credit Is As Dead As A Rat Medal
Betts-116
Undated (1720) John Law, Credit Is As Dead As A Rat Medal
Obverse Text:

BANQVERODT ist A LA MODE | VISIBILIS INVISIBILIS

Reverse Text:

CREDIT | Ift maupetuot | WEXL BRIEFE | MDCCII

What to Look For: ANS 1892.37.9. Images courtesy of the American Numismatic Society.
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Betts-1181720 John Law, Who Will Buy Shares Medal
Betts-118
1720 John Law, Who Will Buy Shares Medal
Obverse Text:

WER SICH DVRCH DIESEN WIND DEN GELDGEITZ LÄSSET FVHREN • | WER FAVFT…

Reverse Text:

DER KAN VERWIRRVNGS VOLL | SEIN HAAB • V • GVTH VERLIEREN • | SOLL…

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Betts-120Undated (ca. 1720) John Law, Money's the Watchword Medal
Betts-120
Undated (ca. 1720) John Law, Money's the Watchword Medal
Obverse Text:

GELD IST DIE LOSUNG • | ABER

Reverse Text:

WIE'S KOMMT SO GEHT'S | NULLA BLEIBT ÜBRIG •

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Betts-1221720 John Law Medal
Betts-122
1720 John Law Medal
Obverse Text:

MR DE LAWS, COMTE DE TANCKERVILLE, CONSEILLER DU ROY DANS TOUTS SES…

Reverse Text:

DIMANCHE : NOUS VIDONS PAR LES BILLETS DE BANCQVE TOUTES LES BOURSES . |…

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Betts-1251716 John Law, The Avenger of the Fraud Medal
Betts-125
1716 John Law, The Avenger of the Fraud Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XV • D • G • FR • ET • NAV • REX | J • LE BLANC •…

Reverse Text:

VINDEX AVARAE FRAUDIS | CHAMBRE DE JUSTICE | 1716 | DV •

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Betts-127Undated (ca. 1720) John Law, They Will Leave Us or We Will Leave Them Medal
Betts-127
Undated (ca. 1720) John Law, They Will Leave Us or We Will Leave Them Medal
Obverse Text:

BEETER IN DE WYDE WERELT ; ALS IN DE NAUE BUYK of KIST • | NVMMVS VBI…

Reverse Text:

AVT DESERVNT NOS AVT DESERIMVS ILLOS • | : DIS | TING | VEND | VM

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Betts-129Undated (1720) John Law, Through Skill All is Won Medal
Betts-129
Undated (1720) John Law, Through Skill All is Won Medal
Obverse Text:

AVS • KVNST • ALLES • GEWONEN •

Reverse Text:

AVS • VNGLICK • ALLES • VERLOHREN •

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Betts-133Undated (1720) John Law, Abstinence Medal
Betts-133
Undated (1720) John Law, Abstinence Medal
Obverse Text:

QVVM TV SCHADEN HABES, NEC OPVS EST SORGERE SPOTTEN • | SVSTINE | VEL |…

Reverse Text:

CERTE PODAGRA | ANNO QVO AVTOREM EXERCEBAT | AVLA | SVVM | SERVAT NOCTESQ.…

What to Look For: ANS 0000.999.22521. Images courtesy of the American Numismatic Society.
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Betts-134Undated (1720) John Law, Put Up or Shut Up Medal
Betts-134
Undated (1720) John Law, Put Up or Shut Up Medal
Obverse Text:

QVVM TV SCHADEN HABES, NEC OPVS EST SORGERE SPOTTEN • | SVSTINE | VEL |…

Reverse Text:

PODAGRA | VAN DE KONINGLYKE | FRANSCHE BEURS | GEPROIECTEERT EN |…

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Betts-1361720 John Law Medal
Betts-136
1720 John Law Medal
Obverse Text:

RISIT STVLTITIAM TEMPORIS ILLE SVI.

Reverse Text:

TEMPORIS ILLE SVI CASVS ET CRIMINA FLEVIT.

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Betts-1371720 John Law, Tralalara Medal
Betts-137
1720 John Law, Tralalara Medal
Obverse Text:

PARTURIUNT MONTES NASCETUR TRALALARALA • INSIGNE TOUT LA COMPAGNIE | MANN…

Reverse Text:

MANN • SETZ • SICH • NICHT • FUR • MAASS • NOCH • ZIEL • |…

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Betts-139Undated (1720) John Law, There is No Peace Medal
Betts-139
Undated (1720) John Law, There is No Peace Medal
Obverse Text:

BANQVERODT ist A LA MODE | VISIBILIS INVISIBILIS

Reverse Text:

PAX PAX DICENTED TAMEN NVLLA PAX IER. VI 14 | • 2 • | SCHAV PFENNIG |…

What to Look For: ANS 1892.37.16. Images courtesy of the American Numismatic Society.
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Betts-1401720 John Law, Parisian West Indian Louisiana Company Medal
Betts-140
1720 John Law, Parisian West Indian Louisiana Company Medal
Obverse Text:

PARISER | WEST-INDISCH | LOUISIANISCHER | COMPAGNIE | ACTIEN | ODER |…

Reverse Text:

ALLES LIEGT AM GLÜCK UND AN DER ZEIT | SO | VERSICHERTS | LAWS | UND…

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Betts-1411721 John Law, From Theory to Practice Medal
Betts-141
1721 John Law, From Theory to Practice Medal
Obverse Text:

REDDENDA EX ACTIS LAVS LAVSO | ROMAM CVM PETERET IA | NVARIO M. MISSIONIS |…

Reverse Text:

SPARSVS | IN ORBEM | VT REDEAT NVMMVS, | PROVIDVS ILLE FACIT: | AVREVS…

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Betts-1441720 Louisbourg Founded Medal
Betts-144
1720 Louisbourg Founded Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XV • D • G • FR • ET NAV • REX •

Reverse Text:

LUDOVICOBURGUM FUNDATUM ET MUNITUM • | M • DCC • XX •

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Betts-1451720 Louisbourg Founded Medal
Betts-145
1720 Louisbourg Founded Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS SV • D • G • FR • ET • NAV • REX • | I • LE BLANC…

Reverse Text:

LUDOVICOBURGUM FUNDATUM ET MUNITUM • | M • DCC • XX •

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Betts-1481721 Guadeloupe Fortified Medal
Betts-148
1721 Guadeloupe Fortified Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XV • D • G • FRAN • ET NAV • REX | DU VIVIER F •

Reverse Text:

GUADALUPA INSULA MUNITA, | PHILIPPO REGENTE • | M • DCC • XXI

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Betts-1491724 Cholula, Mexico Proclamation Medal of Luis I
Betts-149
1724 Cholula, Mexico Proclamation Medal of Luis I
Obverse Text:

LVODV • I • D • G • HISPANIAR • R •

Reverse Text:

CHOLVLA • 1724

What to Look For: Image courtesy of © Medallas de proclamaciones y juras de los reyes de España by Adolfo Herrera
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Betts-1501724 Mexico City, Mexico Proclamation Medal of Luis I
Betts-150
1724 Mexico City, Mexico Proclamation Medal of Luis I
Obverse Text:

LUDOUICUS . I . D . C . HISPANIARUN . REX . ANO . 1742

Reverse Text:

IMPERATOR . INDIARUM . MEX ICO

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Betts-1581725 Peace Between Austria and Spain Medal
Betts-158
1725 Peace Between Austria and Spain Medal
Obverse Text:

PRO SIGNO FOEDERIS ARCUS | PLUS ULTRA

Reverse Text:

CAROLUS VI • IMPERATOR GLADIOS NUNC PERMUTAVIT OLIVIS • | PAX CONCORDAT…

What to Look For: Image courtesy of © The Trustees of the British Museum
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Betts-1611714 King George I of Great Britain Indian Peace Medal
Betts-161
1714 King George I of Great Britain Indian Peace Medal
Obverse Text:

GEORGE : KING : OF GREAT : BRITAIN

Reverse Text:

None

What to Look For: ANS 1967.225.329. Images courtesy of the American Numismatic Society.
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Betts-1631714 King George I of Great Britain Indian Peace Medal
Betts-163
1714 King George I of Great Britain Indian Peace Medal
Obverse Text:

GEORGE : KING : OF GREAT : BRITAIN .

Reverse Text:

None

What to Look For: ANS 1921.132.1. Images courtesy of the American Numismatic Society.
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Betts-1681733 Compagnie des Indes Medal
Betts-168
1733 Compagnie des Indes Medal
Obverse Text:

LUDOVICUS XV • REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS • | J • C • ROETTIERS •

Reverse Text:

JUGENDIS | AMPLIORI ET FACILIORI | COMMERCIO GENTIBUS | EMPORIUM HOC | A…

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Betts-1691733 Jernegan Cistern Medal
Betts-169
1733 Jernegan Cistern Medal
Obverse Text:

BOTH HANDS FILL'D FOR BRITAIN. | GEORGE REIGNING • | T

Reverse Text:

GROWING ARTS ADORN EMPIRE | CAROLINE PROTECTING | 1736

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