1778-1779 (ca. 1780) Rhode Island Ship Medal. Betts-562, W-1730. Without Wreath Below Ship. Brass. MS-62 (PCGS). 157.8 grains. 32.4 mm. A superb example, frosty and lustrous in a way that these usually arent, even in high grade. Warm olive surfaces are lovely and original, with exceptionally strong visual appeal for the assigned grade. With no marks, no corrosion, no mint-made flaws, and none of the often-seen aspects that affect originality, its impossible to wonder why this piece is graded as it is. The removal of VLUGTENDE is neat and complete, revealing a couple of the below-surface bubbles in the composition. A tiny gold fleck of preserved surface at the top of the Eagles hull reveals the bright golden color that made this composition so popular in the 18th century. The strike and details are definitive, bringing up even the curved relief of the Continental soldiers (no, they were not engraved flat) and the texture of Aquidneck Island in the background. This is a specimen of truly stunning quality, undoubtedly more choice than several of the nine examples PCGS has graded finer. PCGS# 588. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Lawrence R. Stack Collection, November 2006.
