1702 American Treasure Captured at Vigo Bay. Betts-101. Silver. MS-63 (NGC).40.7 mm. With flashy, reflective fields and frosty, smartly impressed motifs, this medal shows a level of eye appeal that is superior for both the type and assigned grade. Iridescent toning in champagne-pink and peal gray further enhances the visual treat. The quality is nearly in the Choice quality, kept back by a few faint hairlines from ancient numismatic handling that are easily overlooked at most viewing angles, and just as easily forgiven. The busy high relief design depicts in allegorical and actual forms the capture of Spanish treasure and trophies by the English on the coast of Portugal. This is perhaps the most interesting design in the Vigo series, though it is not the rarest, an honor that belongs to Betts-94. This number exists in both silver and white metal with a copper scavenger, a style that was primarily used in Germany and the Low Countries, thus pointing to a likely place of origin. The story of Vigo was much celebrated, as multiple ships were grounded or burned to the water line, allowing the English forces to capture millions of ounces of silver and a goodly amount of gold. Coins struck from the captured loot were marked VIGO under Queen Annes bust, and some medals (Betts-97) were also coined from the captured bullion.
