1739 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C PBvb 1-A Commodore Brown

Coin Details

Auction Record

$264 XF40 02-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1739 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao PBvb 1-A, is the first die pairing in the Vernon and Brown subgroup celebrating both Vice-Admiral Edward Vernon and Commodore Charles Brown. The PBvb prefix designates medals featuring portraits of both officers who commanded the Porto Bello expedition. The obverse die 1 and reverse die A combination produces the type variety for this subgroup. Brown served as Vernon's second-in-command during the November 1739 attack on Porto Bello, commanding the van squadron that engaged the Spanish fortifications. The reverse depicts the harbor of Porto Bello or naval trophies with text naming both officers. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this medal recognizes that the Porto Bello victory was achieved by a team, though Vernon received the overwhelming share of public acclaim. The dual-portrait Vernon and Brown medals are among the most historically informative varieties in the series, acknowledging a figure whom history has largely forgotten.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The PBvb dual-portrait varieties are less common than the single-portrait PBv types.

Cross References

A-C PBvb 1-A; PCGS #930232