Medals

Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – 1739 [Struck 1740]

Half length figure of Admiral Edward Vernon (1684-1757), full face with baton in the left hand, right hand on hip, curved tree to left, fort with steeple to right. Inscribed above “A VIEW OF FORT CHAGRE”, below a sailing ship. No line enclosing legend “VICE AD: RL. OF THE BLEW, & COM : ER. IN. CHIEF. OF ALL HIS MAI: SHIPS IN THE WEST INDIES”. Exergue: “THE. HON: EDWARD VERNON. ESQ”.

Reverse a view of the Port; six ships, placed tow and four, the later in a curved line. Four small vessels inside. No line enclosing legend “PORTO BELLO. TAKEN. BY ADMIRAL VERNON. WITH SIX MEN OF WAR ONLY. NOV.22. ANNO DOM. 1739”

Design attributed to one of the greatest medal makers of the 18th Century, Pinchbeck but unsigned as usual. 40mm diameter some wear, as can be seen, priced to condition and, an opportunity to obtain this scarce type.

For those impressed but also confused by the elaborate art work and extensive description … there is a whole world out there of collectors of Admiral Vernon medals, and the detailed description matters to identify the precise medal, there were quite a few types. He was pretty much admired for his success at capturing Porto Bello on 2nd December 1739 and he possibly became the most medal(ised) person in history.

The event was an early conflict in what became known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. In 1738 Captain Robert Jenkins appeared before the House of Commons with his amputated ear which had been severed by the Spanish in the West Indies. This added to other stories of bad behaviour by the Spanish led to war. Veron, then Vice Admiral was in charge of the Jamaica Station. Vernon preferred small well armed fleets and his attack with only six vessels was seemed foolhardy by others .. he succeeded and had a mountain named after him and the most fashionable street in London was named after the battle.

Vernon takes Porto Bello and get one back for Jenkins’ Ear …

$160.00

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Edinburgh University Bronze Medal for Chemistry – Awarded in 1882

Edinburgh University issued a series of medals in its esteemed Medical and Science faculty in the late Victorian years.

This medal was awarded to E. E. Pritchard for chemistry in 1881/82. His name clearly engraved on the verso of the medal.

Bronze, 51mm in diameter weighing 75gms and in fine condition, nice patina. The medal is noted in Chapter V of the Catalogue of the Medals of Scotland by R.W. Cochran-Patrick [the accepted authority].

The highly decorative obverse shows the arms of the University [with Saltire; Castle; Book and Thistle] within a trefoil, surrounded by the legend … ACAD. IACOB.VI.SCOT.REG.EDIN in a font of the period of its founding 1582/82 or perhaps earlier to our eye.

For those confused by the abbreviation read … Academy of James VI Scottish King Edinburgh.

See British Museum Collection for a similar example.

Rather scarce science medal from distinguished University of Edinburgh.

$90.00

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Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

Minted by Stokes and Sons, 31 mm diameter circa 14 gms weight. Reference Carlisle 1897/43

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated with enthusiasm around the Commonwealth. This medal was issued by the Municipality of Brisbane to celebrate the event.

On the obverse we have Jugate busts of a young and older Queen Victoria, around Queen Victoria’s 60th Year of Reign *1837 to 1897* … mint name Stokes & Sons in tiny letter on the rim below the date.

The reverse has at its centre within a wide rim the Shield of the Municipality, quartered with top left … horses, sheep and bull; top right … farmer with plough, wheat sheaf and spade; bottom left early steam-ship and lighthouse; bottom right … sailing ship at Brisbane Port loading produce including bale of wool and barrels. Around the rim *Municipality of Brisbane* Incorporated 1859.

Collectable Victoriana Unique to Brisbane.

$80.00

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Polar Hero – Jean-Baptiste Charcot Medal – 1930

Large commemorative medal to celebrate the life of Jean-Baptiste Auguste Etienne Charcot (1867-1936) issued in 1936 under the auspices of Expeditions Polaires Francaises. Charcot Frances greatest polar explorer led two successful expeditions to the Antarctic during the Heroic era. He was a doctor and son of neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot.

His first expedition from 1904-1907 in the Francais explored the west coast of Graham Land. This was followed by the 1908-1910 explorations in the Pourquoi-Pas? The subject of the edition offered here. Later he turned his attention to the North and made scientific explorations off Greenland and Svalbard again in the Porquois-Pas? He died when the ship was wrecked in a severe storm off the coast of Iceland in 1936.

This substantial bronze medal, 67mm in diameter and weighing 150 gm celebrates his life. It was designed by E.M. Lindauer, with a bust after Paul Richer. Richer, an anatomical artist, was a colleague of Charcot’s father and worked with him in illustrating certain medical texts. Richer’s sculptures are found in museums around the world including the Musee d’Orsay.

The medal carries a bust of J.B. Charcot on the front acknowledging Paul Richer and on reverse and image of the Pourquoi-Pas? Among icebergs with Expeditions Polaires Francaises above and the ships name below. Very good condition with very strong relief.

An example of this medal sold as lot 79 in the Scott Amundsen Centenary Sale at Bonhams, London in 2012 for A$2,500

Special Antarctic Collectable Celebrates the life of J.B. Charcot

$490.00

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Abel Tasman Medal – 350 Years

Unlike our other example this medal is silent about its purpose. However, it was issued to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the discovery of Tasmania by Abel Tasman. We think also sponsored by the Trust Bank of Tasmania.

40 mm diameter, 25 gm, intricately engraved, in heavy relief, with an image of Tasman performing some nautical calculations and his vessels on one side with leaf design on reverse.

Tasman celebrated with a nicely engraved design

$55.00

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Abel Tasman Medal – 350th Anniversary of the Discovering of the West Coast of Tasmania 1642-1992

An interesting medallion for historians and the cartographically inspired. Produced for the Trust Bank of Tasmania.

48 mm diameter, 42 gm, intricately engraved on one side with gum leaf design on reverse.

The intricate design has a map of the central west coast of Tasmania noting Zeehan, Queenstown and Strahan; a nice image of Tasman’s vessel and a compass rose. Narrative details of the sighting 24th November 1642 and the landing at Tasman Bay on the East side on the 3rd of December 1642.

Tasman – first European sighting commemorated

$70.00

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Medal Commemorating Admiral Vernon’s Capture of Porto Bello [Panama] – 1739 [Struck 1740]

Edinburgh University Bronze Medal for Chemistry – Awarded in 1882

Brisbane City Medal Celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1897

Polar Hero – Jean-Baptiste Charcot Medal – 1930

Abel Tasman Medal – 350 Years

Abel Tasman Medal – 350th Anniversary of the Discovering of the West Coast of Tasmania 1642-1992

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