1763 (1762) Capture of the Morro Castle in Havana, Cuba Medal. By D.T.F. Prieto. Betts-443, Eimer-704, Medina-12. Silver. About Uncirculated, Polished. 49.5 mm. 67.82 grams. This is a well struck, overall sharply defined example that allows full appreciation of a design that is particularly busy and interesting on the reverse. Predominantly bright silver surfaces are curiously glossy in texture with wispy hairlines that explain our qualifier, although light golden retoning is evident around the peripheries. A classic among Betts medals of the French and Indian War era, rare in both silver and copper, and offered here in relatively appealing About Uncirculated preservation.<p>Americans tend not to think of the Caribbean as a front in this conflict. In fact, it became the focus of it after the fall of Canada, with the best military resources North America and England had to offer pouring into Havana after Spain entered the war on the side of France. Thousands of American troops actually took part in the British siege of Havana. Having conquered Cuba, it was given back to the Spanish at the treaty table in 1763 and remained under their control until Americans showed up again in 1898.<p>The Morro Castle medal is distinctive in a few ways: it is a Spanish medal, included in this series although the Betts corpus is dominated by English, French, and Dutch pieces; it commemorates a losing effort and the death of two officers, not a victory; it actually shows people blown into midair by a massive explosion.
