1739 Taking Over Porto Bello Medal

Value of 1739 Porto Bello Taken 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 half-length figure of Vernon, facing three-quarters to the left, baton in his hand, his finger pointing at the legend. The legend states, “The British Glory Reviv D. by Admiral Vernon.” Reverse depicts ships entering the harbor by threes. The legend, surrounded by lines, states, “He Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only. 1739” and in exergue, “Courage and Conduct”. Between each letter is a four dot star design. The church steeple in the harbor points between the two “l’s”.