1739 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C PBv 16-M

Coin Details

Auction Record

$240 XF45 02-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1739 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao PBv 16-M, pairs obverse die 16 with reverse die M. The sixteenth obverse die in the PBv series indicates extensive die production comparable to the PBvi subgroup. Reverse die M is a mid-to-late alphabetical designation, carrying a Porto Bello scene or commemorative text. The PBv subgroup's obverse portraits range from crude provincial work to competent London products, with the higher die numbers sometimes showing artistic decline as later entrants to the market produced less refined work, or conversely, showing improvement as craftsmen learned from earlier efforts. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this medal is a product of England's decentralized medal industry where no single authority controlled quality or authorized production. Anyone with die-sinking skills and access to a screw press could produce Vernon medals, and many did. The PBv 16-M variety documents this open-access production environment.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Higher-numbered PBv obverse dies are typically less common than early numbers.

Cross References

A-C PBv 16-M; PCGS #930168