1559 Peace of Cambrai Medal. Betts-3. Bronze, 39.3 mm. EF-45 (PCGS). 362.7 grains. An important early Betts medal, depicting Phillip II of Spain with a majestic title: King of Spain and the New Western World. This piece was last offered in our November 2016 sale, where it was described as follows:<p><p><em>Called cast bronze by PCGS, this example has every appearance of being struck, not cast. The surfaces are attractive deep golden-bronze, a trifle darker around the peripheries where some detritus has found a home and showing a single spot off the tip of Philip IIs beard. The fields are smooth, showing some minor marks and scratches but no significant chasing, and the details are rounded and in fine relief. The eye appeal is excellent for the issue.</em><p><p><em>The magic words HISPAN ET NOVA ORBIS OCCIDVI REX earned this medal a place in the Betts series. The obverse legend pronounces Phillip II king of Spain and the new Western world, a sentiment displayed on a small series of Betts numbers at the beginning of the book. This particular variety was struck to mark the Treaty of Cambrai, marking the end of decades of conflict between France and Spain. Spain turned boldly westward in the century that followed, building up their Latin American dominions and becoming a world power. Any medal collection that purports to tell the history of America must begin in the decades before settlement, when lone ships, missions, and explorers made solitary inroads into and glancing blows against the body of a continent.</em><p>Weve offered just one Betts-3 since this piece last sold, an example sold in November 2020 that was clearly cast and offers a useful contrast to the present specimens clearly struck and well detailed devices and legends. <p> PCGS# 613477. <strong>To view supplemental information and all items from the Sydney F. Martin Collection, click<a href="https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-collection/"target=’_blank’> here.</a></strong> From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier from Paul Boscos sale 22, November 2000, lot 564; John Sallay Collection; our sale of November 2016, lot 2.
