1690 (1845-1860) Quebec Preserved Medal. Betts-70. Bronze. MS-65 BN (PCGS).39.9 mm. 546.7 grains. Edge marked (pointing hand) CUIVRE, Paris Mint markings for the era 1845 to 1860. This is the only Betts-70 in this advanced collection of the Quebec Preserved medals, and it is just one of four examples seen by our consignor. Choice chocolate brown with rich pastel toning in the reflective and lustrous obverse field. This obverse die is signed "R" in the exergue, with a portrait showing "hair much fuller," as described in Betts. The lowest curls extend to the inner circle at the periphery and are tightly curled and struck in impressive relief atop his head. The hair is arranged so magnificently that no lettering fit above this particular portrait and the legend is divided between the left and right borders. A die break is seen atop the letters OV in LUDOVICUS. The surfaces on both sides are choice and show no notable flaws. This Betts number was missing from LaRiviere, Adams, Ford, and others, indeed, its absence from those collections led Christopher McDowell (<em>The Early Betts Medal Companion</em>) to the conclusion that it likely doesnt exist and, if it does, its likely a much larger medal. This is the medal Betts described, rare and underappreciated. It is entirely possible this medal only exists as a marked-edge restrike. Our consignor noted he never encountered an original.From the Joe Foster Collection. Earlier from our Americana Sale of January 2012, part of lot 6006.
