1739 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C PBv 7-E

Coin Details

Auction Record

$168 F Details 02-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1739 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao PBv 7-E, is an early die pairing in the Porto Bello Vernon's Portrait subgroup, combining the seventh obverse die with reverse die E. The PBv 7 portrait represents the initial production wave when die sinkers were producing their best work to establish market presence. Reverse die E would carry a Porto Bello scene or text description of the victory, rendered with the care typical of early-phase production. The PBv 7-E variety is early enough in the sequence to reflect close artistic attention yet advanced enough to show that the portrait-only format had proved commercially viable beyond the first few die pairings. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this medal offers a good representative example of the PBv subgroup at its most competent. Vernon's image on early PBv dies typically follows the standard conventions of eighteenth-century military portraiture: a three-quarter bust in naval uniform with a wig, surrounded by a legend identifying the Admiral and often referencing Porto Bello.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. Early PBv die pairings are somewhat more commonly encountered than the high-numbered varieties.

Cross References

A-C PBv 7-E; PCGS #930166