NEW BOOK: THE EARLY BETTS MEDAL COMPANION

The American Numismatic Society (ANS) is pleased to announce the publication The Early Betts Medal Companion: Medals of America's Discovery and Colonization (1492–1737), the fifth volume in the Society's Studies in Medallic Art series.

Authored by Christopher R. McDowell – ANS Fellow, editor of the Journal of Early American Numismatics, and President of the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4) – this book brings to fruition the dream of nineteenth-century numismatist Charles Wyllys Betts to illustrate American colonial history through contemporary medals. Focusing on medals from the period of discovery through the period of colonization of the New World, McDowell's volume is a companion to Betts's masterpiece, American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals. This is the first of what is expected to be three volumes by McDowell concerning Betts medals.

Since Betts' text first appeared posthumously in 1894, new information has come to light regarding each medal he enumerated. The Early Betts Medal Companion updates and illustrates each listing in the first two chapters of Betts, known to collectors and researchers as Betts-1 to Betts-170. Although Betts stated that his work was an "illustrated" history, very few actual illustrations or drawings were included in the original. With only a few exceptions, every Betts medal discussed is illustrated here, many for the first time. In addition, the contextual history of each medal is told, explaining their design and importance. Finally, pricing information is included for every medal for which pricing is available.

The cost of the book is $125 plus shipping and handling, with members receiving 30% off. All members can apply the ANS 30 discount code during checkout for the member cost of $87.50. Pre-ordering is now open for The Early Betts Medal Companion, through the ANS distributor, Casemate Academic. Books will ship to customers in December.

Dr. Jesse Kraft, ANS Resolute Americana Assistant Curator of American Numismatics, praised the book. He noted,McDowell provides the most comprehensive resource on the subject of Betts medals. This book provides much-needed and up-to-date context to Betts' work, ranging from U.S., North American, and world history to the evolution of American numismatics and, of course, about the medals themselves. Perhaps most striking about the updated understanding of this material is that some of the medals in the Betts book never even existed. Without McDowell's meticulous research, future generations of numismatists would still be searching for them. For McDowell, this truly is a labor of love.

The Early Betts Medal Companion
Medals of America's Discovery and Colonization (1492–1737)
by Christopher McDowell

Series: Studies in Medallic Art
Imprint: American Numismatic Society
340 Pages, 8.5 x 11 in
Hardcover

For more information, or to order, see:
The Early Betts Medal Companion (https://www.casemateacademic.com/9780897223898/the-early-betts-medal-companion/)

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