1739 Porto Bello with Admiral Vernon Icons Medal

Value of 1739 Porto Bello with Admiral Vernon’s Portrait and Icons Medal

This medal celebrated the accomplishment of Admiral Edward Vernon overtaking Porto Bello, a Spanish port in Panama that oversaw the shipping of gold and silver back to Europe. Vernon overtook the harbor with only six ships, as he had boasted to Parliament. The English celebrated the victory with many similarly designed medals. The obverse of this medal features a full-length figure of Vernon, facing to the right, a baton in his left hand and a sword in his right. Behind Vernon are a cannon and an anchor. The obverse legend states, “The British Glory Reviv D by Adm L. Vernon” with the final “n” reversed. Reverse depicts the six ships entering the harbor, all sailing to the right. The legend states, “He Took Porto Bello with Six Ships Only” and in exergue “Nov 22. 1739” with the first “n” reversed”. Three small boats can be seen from the harbor and the water lines are visible around the lower ships.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: The British Glory Reviv D By Adm L. Vernon | and | He Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only; Nov. 22. 1739.