Porto Bello Admiral Vernon Portrait Alone Medal

Value of Undated 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 half-length figure of Vernon, facing three-quarters to the left, his finger and baton pointing at the legend. The legend states, “The British Glory Reviv D by Admiral Verno [sic]” with a four dot star separating each word. Reverse depicts the six ships entering the harbor with four facing to the left and two to the right. The legend states, “He Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only” and in exergue, “By Courage and Conduct.” A steeple in the harbor points at the letter “i”.

The obverse and reverse text read as follows: The British Glory Reviv D. By Admiral Verno (sic) | and | He Took Porto Bello With Six Ships Only. 1739; By Courage and | Conduct.