1772 Resolution and Adventure Medal. Betts-552. Silver, 44.3 mm. AU-50 (PCGS).

Second reverse. Never mounted. A very rare form of this important medal, struck from the second reverse die, which was used exclusively for presentation-type medals like this one. The "platina" or yellow bronze examples struck for distribution in the Pacific were all struck from the first reverse, which is always seen with a significant die crack in the left lower exergue. While it's unknown exactly who received silver examples like this, it's generally assumed they were somehow connected to Cook's voyages or well-connected VIPs. Most specimens show some evidence of handling, suggesting that they were not simply made to be acquired by contemporary collectors. This example displays scattered marks over sedate and glossy medium gray surfaces, with some contrasting olive and blue tones around devices. The reverse shows evidence of the double striking necessary to bring up the high relief portrait, and both sides exhibit some trivial hairlines. The overall visual appeal is excellent. Since the 2005 Ford sale (which included a substantial proportion of the surviving silver Resolution and Adventure medals in private hands), we've sold just one example in this composition while selling five times as many in the typical platina/yellow bronze format. Opportunities to acquire a specimen like this are extremely infrequent.

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From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex Small's Auctions (Australia), John Kraljevich Americana, September 2019.