1677 Tobago Taken by Assault Medal. Betts-59A. Bronze. MS-64 BN (PCGS).

1677 Tobago Taken by Assault Medal. Betts-59A. Bronze. MS-64 BN (PCGS). 41.3 mm. One of the most magnificent designs of this series, showing a single mortar exploding at the heart of an exquisitely rendered star fort and a harbor full of ships in the foreground. Lustrous medium brown with original mint color still framing peripheral legends. A very choice example of this scarce and impressive medal. Unlike the action commemorated on Betts-52, the battle depicted on this medal really was a French victory, albeit a lucky one. A lucky mortar round happened to hit the Dutch powder magazine, destroying the Dutch fortification and killing the commander and more than 260 officers and enlisted men. The French took the island but were unable to hold it for a long duration. Provenance: Ex A.H. Baldwin & Sons, Ltd., June 1969; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIII, January 2006, lot 746; Bill McKivor; Sydney F. Martin; our sale of the Sydney F. Martin Collection, Part IV, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, lot 8019. Click here for certification details from PCGS. Image with the PCGS TrueView logo is obtained from and is subject to a license agreement with Collectors Universe, Inc. and its divisions PCGS and PSA.

Estimate:£0.74

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