1739 War Admiral Vernon Fort Chagre Medal

Value of 1739 Admiral Vernon 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 left, his baton in his left hand and his right finger pointing to the left. Behind him, on the left is the fort, with “Fort Chagre” written above on a smooth plain. The legend, encircled with a line, states, “The British: Glory Reviv D. by Admiral Vernon”. Reverse depicts the attack on Porto Bello. Six ships are depicted sailing into the harbor. The tall buildings in the harbor point towards the legend, which reads, “With six ships only, Nov. 22, 1739.” Each word in the legend is separated by a dot.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: Porto. Bello. Taken. By Admiral Vernon. ; Fort Chagre | and | With Six Ships Only Nov 22, 1739.