"1778-1779" (Circa 1780) Rhode Island Ship Medal. Betts-563,  Wreath Below Ship. Brass. PCGS MS-64. Tied for TOP POP at PCGS. This is a choice mint state, which is among the finest known of this fascinating pre-Federal era medal. Beautiful reddish-brown patina. Beautifull smooth original surfaces that are remarkably free from contact marks or abrasions of any kind, save for a tiny planchet chip at 12 oclock on the obverse that acts as an identifier for this wonderful piece.. Mentioned solely for accuracy.     

Provenance: From the Antony Bettencourt Collection. Earlier ex Ira & Larry Goldberg's sale of the Benson Collection, Part II, February 2002, lot 5; Superior's New York ANA Sale of August 2002, lot 129; Heritage's FUN Signature Sale of January 2004, lot 4046; Bowers and Merena's Baltimore Auction of July 2004, lot 13; Heritage's Signature Auction of November-December 2012, lot 3060; Heritage's CSNS Signature Auction of April 2014, lot 3829.