England, Admiral Vernon Medal Cartagena. George II, 1727-1760 AD. c. 1741
England, Admiral Vernon Medal Cartagena. George II, 1727-1760 AD. c. 1741
AE (pinchbeck) Medal, 13.10g (37.3mm, 6h).
ADMIRAL VERNON AND SR CHALONER OGLE, Vernon full length, part right with head facing and left arm outstretched. Ogle full length left with right arm outstretched. In exergue, clamshell with simple sprigs / TRUE BRITISH HEROES TOOK CARTHAGENA, Below, two ships right. In center, semicircular harbor with one fort on left and two on the right, inner forts connected with chains. Inner harbor, a small boat below DON / BLASS. At top, horizontal town with flag at E and steeple at second O. In exergue, APRIL 1741
References: Adams & Chao, Medallic Portraits of Admiral Vernon-p. 171, CAvo 2B, M-G 227, Medina p.83, 100
Grade: Previously graded by PCGS AU58. Incredibly well preserved with a hard, frosty texture that is free of detracting marks. Rich, vivid, brassy-gold with only a few swirls of deeper color out of the way at the borders. There are a few wispy hairlines (only seen by loupe), as well as some tiny carbon flecks and small planchet pits. All are slight and does not impact the overall beauty of the piece.
wc1273
Scroll down for more information about this coin.
Admiral Vernon bombarded Cartagena in 1740 and a disastrous attempt was made to capture the city in April 1741. The Spanish commander Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta, successfully defended Cartagena against the British. Admiral Edward Vernon was a mostly successful Royal Navy officer and politician. He was raised to the rank of admiral after an impressive 46 years of service. After a string of victories during the Spanish/British wars, he suffered a defeat against the one-eyed, one-legged and one-armed Commander of the Spaniards named Blas de Lezo. This defeat was perpetuated by delaying tactics from the Spaniards, spread of disease amongst the British sailors and a failed assault on the last fortification defending the city. After this defeat, Vernon was recalled back to England. Medals that commemorate this battle obviously represent an untruth as it was a major defeat of the British. This medal does however see the first deployment of American colonial troops abroad.