1739 Vernon & Brown Medal

Value of 1739 Admiral Vernon and Brown portraits 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. Commodore Charles Brown, second in command, ruthlessly battered the Spanish fort until they surrendered and his actions helped the British win. The English celebrated the victory with many similarly designed medals. The obverse of this medal features a half-length figure of Vernon on the right, facing three-quarters to the left, a baton in his left hand. Brown stands at the left facing right, also holding a baton. Obverse legend states, “Admiral Vernon and Commodore Brown” and in exergue “by the courage and conduct”. Reverse depicts the six ships entering the harbor, with five of the ships sailing right and one sailing left. The legend states, “Porto Bello was taken with six ships only Nov. 22, 1739” and in exergue the artist’s name, “I. W. Fecit”.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: Admiral Vernon and Commodore Brown; By the Courage | and Conduct | and | Porto Bello Was Taken with Six Ships Only Nov 22. 1739; I. W. Fecit .