1739 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C PBvb 11-S Commodore Brown

Coin Details

Auction Record

$408 AU50 02-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1739 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao PBvb 11-S, is one of the highest-numbered die pairings in the Vernon and Brown subgroup, combining obverse die 11 with reverse die S. The existence of at least eleven obverse dies for the dual-portrait type alone underscores the extraordinary scale of Vernon medal production in England. Each obverse represents a new die cut by a skilled craftsman, requiring hours of work with punches and gravers to produce the paired portraits. Reverse die S, with its high letter designation, belongs to the later phase of reverse die production. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this medal may represent one of the last PBvb varieties produced, created to satisfy collectors or dealers seeking varieties not already in circulation. The Vernon medal phenomenon was one of the largest private medallic productions in eighteenth-century Britain, with Adams and Chao cataloging over 300 distinct varieties across all subgroups.

Rarity Notes

Rare. High die numbers in the PBvb series indicate late production with limited quantities.

Cross References

A-C PBvb 11-S; PCGS #930236