1763 Capture of Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba. Silver. 53.3 mm. 76.7 grams. Betts-443, Eimer-704. Extremely Fine.Mottled pearl and silver gray patina with some small voids in the fields of both sides. Arguably the artistic triumph of the Betts-listed medals of the Seven Years War, this medal depicts the commanders of the fortress on the obverse and the explosion of its magazine on the reverse. Ironically enough, this is the only Spanish medal for the French and Indian War, yet it commemorates a defeat. The reverse shows an incredibly detailed scene of British troops storming the breached walls while bodies (and parts) hang in the mushroom cloud above and litter the waters below. Struck in both copper and silver, the present format is quite elusive and always commands attention at auction.pThe battle for the Havana fortress known as Morro Castle was one of the most significant of the war. It is perhaps little appreciated in North America, but to the people of the 18th century, Cuba was as much "America" as was Boston. The 1762 siege, two years after the capitulation of Canada, secured control of the Caribbean for England and helped wrap a bow around the American front of the Seven Years War. It could not have been done without the presence of thousands of North American colonists, indeed, more soldiers from what would become the United States fought in this action than perhaps any other of the conflict. The 60th Foot, or Royal American Regiment, was present, as were militiamen from across the colonies: New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and nearly a 1,000 men from Connecticut alone. Despite the battles location in Havana, it was a battle won largely by Americans and roundly celebrated throughout the American provinces.
