1741 Bath Metal Medal Betts-246, Admiral Vernon

Coin Details

Auction Record

$470 AU55 02-16-2017 Heritage Auctions

Description

This bath metal medal, Betts-246, is an Admiral Vernon variety depicting scenes from the colonial campaign. The War of Jenkins' Ear, which began in 1739, was primarily a conflict between Britain and Spain over colonial trade rights and territory in the Caribbean and Central America. Vernon's initial success at Porto Bello led to an ambitious but ultimately disastrous attempt to capture the much larger and better-defended Spanish port of Cartagena de Indias in 1741. Despite the later setbacks, Vernon's Porto Bello victory remained a popular subject for medal production throughout the war years. European medallic art of this era served as an official record of imperial achievements, with court-appointed medalists crafting pieces that communicated territorial claims and military victories to educated audiences across the continent. This variety commemorates the continuing British colonial campaign in the Caribbean.

Rarity Notes

Common. Standard bath metal Vernon variety.

Cross References

Betts-246