1739 Admiral Vernon Fort Chagre Medal

Value of 1739 Admiral Vernon Fort Chagre Medal

This medal celebrated Admiral Edward Vernon overtaking Porto Bello, a vital Spanish port in Panama. Vernon overtook the harbor with six ships, as he had boasted to Parliament. The English celebrated the victory with many similarly designed medals. The obverse depicts full-length image of Vernon facing left, his baton in his left hand and his right hand extended. To his right is a ship sailing to the left. The fort stationed behind him on the left and below the fort states, “Fort Chagre”. The legend states, “Admiral Vernon took Porto Bello with six ships only” and in exergue, “Nov 22, 1739”. Reverse depicts the attack on Porto Bello. Six ships sail into the harbor where two smaller boats are located. The tall buildings in the harbor point towards the legend, which reads, “Who took Porto Bello with six ships only” and in exergue, “Nov. 22, 1739.” A period separates each word in the legend.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: Adml. Vernon Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only; Nov 22 1739; Fort Chagre | and | He. Took. Porto. Bello. With. Six. Ships. Only; Nov 22. 1739.