1739 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C PBvi 12-O

Coin Details

Auction Record

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

Description

This 1739 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao PBvi 12-O, pairs obverse die 12 with reverse die O. The twelfth obverse die in the PBvi series represents continued die-cutting investment as the Vernon medal craze sustained demand through 1739. Reverse die O features Porto Bello harbor imagery with specific details — ships, fortifications, text, or maps — that distinguish it from the many other reverses in the subgroup. The O reverse's position in the alphabetical sequence places it among the mid-to-late reverse dies, indicating concurrent production with the double-digit obverse dies. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this medal was part of a production system where multiple die sinkers in London and Birmingham and other provincial centers all contributed varieties to the Vernon medal market. The PBvi 12-O pairing documents the scale of this decentralized medallic industry that operated without central coordination, driven purely by commercial demand.

Rarity Notes

Scarce to rare. Higher PBvi die numbers indicate later and smaller production runs.

Cross References

A-C PBvi 12-O; PCGS #930217