Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature US Coin Sale 1252 16-17 Feb 2017
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Betts Medals
Betts-443 Variant. (1762) Capture of the Morro Castle Medal, Silver XF45 PCGS. This silver variant of a medal normally seen in bronze commemorates the Spanish defense of Morro Castle, in present-day Havana, Cuba. Morro Castle is a fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay, which during the 17th and 18th century made Havana the most fortified city in Spanish America. Juan Bautista Antonelli, who also built the forts at Chagre and Porto Bello, constructed the fort in 1584. The obverse shows conjoined busts right of Luis de Velasco and Vincenzo Gonzalez, commanders of Morro Castle, who are named in the legend. The reverse shows the exploding powder magazine that terminated the conflict. Following the British victory, the 1763 Treaty of Paris returned Cuba to Spanish authority. A few scattered marks and trivial rim bruises are noted on this extremely rare silver medal. The light gray surfaces exhibit natural champagne and pale gold toning. 49.6 mm, 66.8 gm. (Est. $2,500-$3,500).
Betts-443 Variant. (1762) Capture of the Morro Castle Medal, Silver XF45 PCGS. This silver variant of a medal normally seen in bronze commemorates the Spanish defense of Morro Castle, in present-day Havana, Cuba. Morro Castle is a fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay, which during the 17th and 18th century made Havana the most fortified city in Spanish America. Juan Bautista Antonelli, who also built the forts at Chagre and Porto Bello, constructed the fort in 1584. The obverse shows conjoined busts right of Luis de Velasco and Vincenzo Gonzalez, commanders of Morro Castle, who are named in the legend. The reverse shows the exploding powder magazine that terminated the conflict. Following the British victory, the 1763 Treaty of Paris returned Cuba to Spanish authority. A few scattered marks and trivial rim bruises are noted on this extremely rare silver medal. The light gray surfaces exhibit natural champagne and pale gold toning. 49.6 mm, 66.8 gm. (Est. $2,500-$3,500).