A Collection of Pacific Exploration Medals

Lot 610    SESSION 3 (2.30pm Tuesday 31st March)    A Collection of Pacific Exploration Medals

Estimate $1,200
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $950

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET LORD ANSON, Defeat of the French Fleet off Cape Finisterre, 1747, in silver (43mm) by T.Pingo, obverse, bust of Lord Anson, left, being crowned by Victory, reverse, Victory, holding a wreath and trident standing upon a sea monster, six laurel wreaths around with the names of the principal officers of the 'Centurion' on her world voyage of 1740-1744 (MH 345, Eimer 616). Nearly extremely fine and rare.

The obverse of this medal is imitated from a copper coin of Augustus. It commemorates Anson's defeat and capture of the French fleet off Cape Finisterre on 3 May 1747. The reverse, struck from two dies, records Anson's celebrated voyage around the world, from September 1740 to June 1744, during which he suffered many disasters, acheived some successes, and finally captured the Spanish galleon, the Nuestra Senora de Covadonga, with a treasure exceeding ?300,000. Names mentioned are those of the officers of his own ship, The Centurion. Officers: Admiral Sir Percy Brett, Vice-admiral Sir Peter Dennis, Vice-Admiral John Campbell, Admiral Viscount Augustus Keppel, Captain Philip Saumarez and Admiral Sir Charles Saunders. The medal was probably commissioned by Thomas Anson, George's older, bachelor brother, Whig M.P. and founder of the Society of Dilettanti, whose 'cabinet of medals' is referred to by Josiah Wedgewood. A variety has the correct but less commonly found spelling of 'Campbel' (this medal) on the reverse. Production accounts include the charge of ?80 for the dies, and the supply of fifty gold and eighty silver medals, the cost of each being ?l6 13s and 9s 10d respectively. Correspondence refers to forty medals having been struck in copper. Admiral of the fleet George Lord Anson was born in 1697. Entering the Royal Navy in 1712, he took part in the battle of Passaro in 1718 as Lieutenant, and became Captain in 1724. In 1737 he commissioned The Centurion, and when war broke out with Spain two years later Anson was made Commodore and given a small squadron for operations in the Pacific, but the death of men prevented his sailing until September 1740. Dispersed by a heavy gale off Cape Horn, The Centurion reached Juan Fernandez in June 1741, with only two ships in company.