Capture of 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 right hand. The legend states, “Admiral Vernon took Porto Bello.” Reverse, displays the six ships as they enter the harbor. Around the image declares, “With Six Ships Only, November 22, 1739” each word separated by a four dot star. This reverse shows land, water, and one steeple which points to the letter “i”.