1739 Fort Chagre Medal

Value of 1739 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 half-length image of Vernon facing forwards, his baton in his left hand. Behind him are a ship and a fort at his right, and a tree on his left. Around the image states, “Hath once more reviv’d the British Glory” each word separated by a dot. On the right field is written, “Fort Chagre”. Reverse depicts six ships, five facing right and one facing left, sailing into the harbor towards five smaller boats. The harbor is depicted at the top of the medal with the buildings pointing towards the legend. The legend states, “By the takeing [sic] of Porto Bello with six ships only. Nov. 22. 1739” and in exergue “I. W.” for the artist. While dated 1739, this medal was struck later.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: Hath. Once. More. Reviv.D. The. British. Glory.; The Hon. Edward. Vernon. Esq; Fort | Charge | and | By. The. Takeing. (sic) of. Porto. Bello With Six. Ships. Only. Nov. 22. 1739.