Heraldic Art Medals
1965 Eli Whitney


Obverse
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Reverse
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Coin Details

  

Set Details
Coin Description:
Grade: NGC MS 69
Owner: Don "Smitty" Smith
 
Set Category: Token & Medals
Set Name: Heraldic Art Medals
Slot Name: 1965 Eli Whitney
Research: See NGC's Census Report for this Coin

Owner's Description

Obverse design: "St. Augustine, our oldest continually inhabited European City, was founded reluctantly by the Spaniards in response to settlement attempts by Hugenot French under Ribaut. A strong force under Pedro Mendenez de Aviles sailed from Spain, making landfall off Florida on St. Augustine's day, August 28, a565. The Catholic vs. Protestant feelings of the day led to the massacre of most of the French of "Ft. Caroline" and the beginning of the Spanish fortification and city. Shown is the masonry Castillo de San Marcos completed later, with its watch-bell tower, and a galleon laying in Matanzas (Spanish for "slaughters") Bay. Legend: FOUNDING OF ST. AUGUSTINE / 400TH / ANNIVERSARY / 1565". Reverse desirn; "A representation of a Spanish silver coin of 1565. The strategic location of Florida in the sailing scheme of the Spanish treasure fleets was also an impelling reason for the fortification of this lonely, northernmost outpost of Spanish America. The trade winds and currents carried the laden galleons from Havana past the Florida coast before the turn eastward was made, and protection from the English, French and pirates was mandatory; rescue of crews from storm-tossed ships was another advantage. Legend: 1565: PHILIPPUS II D.G. HISPAN. REX;".

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