A Guide to the Exhibition of English MedalsBritish Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
History
A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals
British Museum. Department of Coins and Medals
Medals -- Great Britain
518. Prosecution of the "North Briton," No. 45, 1763. _Obv._
Bust of Wilkes, three-quarters l., wearing robes of Lord Mayor.
I. WILKES ESQ^R LORD MAYOR. 1774. _Rev._ Axe and jack-boot with
head of Lord Bute. BRITONS STRIKE HOME. Copper. Size 1·7. Cast.
John Wilkes, Alderman of London and M.P. for Aylesbury, was imprisoned
under a general warrant for a libel on the King's Speech published in
the "North Briton," No. 45, 1763. General warrants being declared
illegal, Wilkes was released. The head in the jack-boot was a rustic
pun on the name of John Earl of Bute, Prime Minister 1762—3. The axe
suggests treason. This medal was executed when Wilkes became Lord Mayor
of London, 1774.
519. Captain Cook's Second Voyage, 1772. _Obv._ Head of King
r., laur. GEORGE III. KING OF GR. BRITAIN FRANCE AND IRELAND
ETC. B. F. _Rev._ Two ships on sea. RESOLVTION ADVENTVRE—SAILED
FROM ENGLAND. MARCH. MDCCLXXII. Gold. Size 1·7. By Barnett.
In his second voyage round the world, Captain James Cook, the navigator
(b. 1728; d. 1779), commanded the Resolution, and was accompanied by
the Adventure. He left in March 1772, and, after visiting New Zealand
and passing Cape Horne, returned in July 1774.
520. Another. _Obv._ Bust l., in naval uniform. IAC. COOK
OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMVS. REG. SOC. LOND. SOCIO SVO. L. P.
F. _Rev._ Fortune l., leaning on rostral column, holding rudder
on globe, and spear; near her, shield. NIL INTENTATVM NOSTRI
LIQVERE. (Hor. Ep. ad Pis. 285); in ex., AVSPICIIS GEORGII III.
Gold. Size 1·65. By L. Pingo.
On his return from his second voyage in 1774, Captain Cook was elected
a member of the Royal Society, and in 1776 he received its Copley medal
in gold for brilliant discoveries. This medal is by Lewis Pingo, who
for many years during the reign of George III. was Chief Engraver to
the Royal Mint.
521. No Popery Riots, 1779—80. _Obv._ Bust of Lord George
Gordon l., in broad-brimmed hat and coat. _Rev._ LORD GEORGE
GORDON. 1780. Copper. Size 1·15.
In consequence of a Bill before Parliament to relieve Roman Catholics
of certain penalties and disabilities, serious riots took place in
Scotland and England, 1779—80. These riots were stimulated by the
Protestant Association, of which Lord George Gordon was president.
522. American War: Paul Jones: Attacks on Scottish Coast, 1779.
_Obv._ Bust of Paul Jones r., in naval uniform. JOANNI PAVLO
JONES CLASSIS PRAEFECTO. COMITIA AMERICANA. DUPRÉ F. _Rev._
Naval engagement. HOSTIVM NAVIBVS CAPTIS AVT FVGATIS; in ex.,
AD ORAM SCOTIAE. XXIII. SEPT. MDCCLXXVIIII. DUPRÉ F. Copper.
Size 2·2. By A. Dupré.[36]
[36] Augustin Dupré, a medallist of some note, was for some time chief
engraver at the Paris mint.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account