1599 Capture of St. Thomas Medal. Betts-20. Copper, 29.5 mm. AU-58 (PCGS). 91.8 grains. An interesting Dutch jeton, with unusual chronogram dating in the reverse legend. Glossy olive and tan, a bit bright from an ancient cleaning. Sharp and attractive with a full strike and bold details. The obverse depiction of the Argo (with "Jehovah" rendered in Hebrew in the sails) makes this jeton popular beyond the Betts crowd, though the history behind Admiral Pieter Van Der Does and his taking of Pavoasan (modern Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands) makes this piece particularly relevant to a Betts collector. PCGS# 545045. <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 ex Jim King, July 2008.
