1739 Porto Bello with Vernons Portrait Alone Medal

Value of 1739 Porto Bello with Admiral Vernon’s Portrait Alone 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, on the right is a cannon and on the left is a ship. The legend states, “The British glory Reviv’d by Admiral Vernon” with the final “n” reversed. The reverse legend states, “Who Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only” and in exergue, “Nov. 22 1739”. Five ships sail to the right, one to the left while entering the harbor; below the ships and the fort are water marks.

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