The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 5, January 30, 2005, Article 6

WILL BETTS EVER BE UPDATED?

Dick Johnson writes: "In answer to Granvyl Hulse#39;s inquiry
last week whether Betts "American Colonial Medals" will
ever be updated, the answer is both No and Yes! If
someone 30 years ago attempted this chore the researcher
probably realized the near impossibility of this foreboding
task and abandoned the project. The scope of Betts#39; book
is so broad it would require a global search among both
private and public collections that several lifetimes might be
required. This gives us far more admiration for what the
Betts family accomplished in gathering material for this
original 1894
book.

As you may know, Betts monumental work was the theme
of the American Numismatic Society#39;s COAC Conference
last May. The fact nine scholars delivered papers all based
on this one book is evidence of its wide scope and permanent
utility. Even with this concentrated, unduplicated study,
each of the speakers could only approach a small portion
of the overall subject.

The definition of "America" in the book title – and thus
the topic of Betts#39; interest – was all of the Western
Hemisphere. In the United States we are so provincial
that we think our citizens are the only Americans. To
Betts#39;s global concept "America" included Canada right
down to the tip of South America. Thus the Medals of
the Western Hemisphere is a daunting subject, even if
your cutoff point is the beginning of American
Independence, as was Betts "Colonial" criteria.

That#39;s why Betts will not be updated in the near future.
However all is not lost. Numismatic scholars are portioning
the subject with plans to publish significant works on topics
within his total scope. First, be on the lookout for the ANS
printed edition of the COAC papers due out next summer.

There is lots of good Betts material coming up. For example,
John Adams is doing work on the Comitia Americana group
– those medals authorized by the United States Congress
and struck at the Paris Mint -- later restruck at the 
Philadelphia
Mint. He is well along on this work

Be on the watch for these publications. But don't hold your
breath for a revision of Betts' book."

John Adams writes: "Regarding a revision of the 1894
classic by C.W. Betts, it is a great book but it is so broad
- six languages, 12 counties, over 200 years -- that it tends
to overwhelm collectors who might get interested. My
own intention is to update (and intensify) in much smaller
chunks: my book on George III Indian peace medals is
done, my work on John Law medals is at the printer,
Comitia Americana medals next year, Vernon medals the
year after.

David Menchell will publish a three-part series in the
MCA Advisory (published by the Medal Collectors of
America) beginning with the January issue that will cover
the medals of the French & Indian War. And so, there
will be created a body of knowledge that goes far beyond
Betts and that, hopefully, will stimulate a renaissance of
interest in what is undoubtedly a neglected part of our
hobby."

[The MCA web site is MCA

Membership is only $20/year. David Menchell's exhibit
of medals at last year's American Numismatic Association
convention blew me away; I'm looking forward to reading
his articles. -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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