1741 Bronze Medal Admiral Vernon, A-C NLv 6-E

Coin Details

Auction Record

$192 VF30 02-21-2024 Stack's Bowers

Description

This 1741 bronze medal, cataloged as Adams-Chao NLv 6-E, is one of the latest-dated medals in the Vernon series. By 1741, Vernon's reputation was in decline following the catastrophic British defeat at the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in March-May 1741, where a massive fleet of 186 ships and 27,000 men failed to capture the Spanish colonial port. The NLv 6-E die pairing features Vernon's portrait obverse die 6 combined with reverse die E, producing a medal that celebrated the Admiral even as his military fortunes turned. Struck in copper alloy (AE), this 1741-dated piece was produced either before news of the Cartagena disaster reached England or by die sinkers determined to sell remaining stock. The 1741 date makes this variety particularly interesting to collectors studying the chronological arc of the Vernon medal phenomenon, from the euphoria of Porto Bello through the disillusionment of Cartagena.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The 1741-dated Vernon medals are among the scarcest in the series, produced at the end of the medal craze.

Cross References

A-C NLv 6-E; PCGS #824928