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
In the autumn of 1779 Scotland was much alarmed by the daring exploits
of Captain John Paul Jones, who in command of an American squadron
attacked her coasts, captured numerous prizes, and even threatened
Edinburgh. This medal records the capture, on 13 Sep. 1779, of the
English frigate Serapis, Captain Pearson, by the Bon Homme Richard,
commanded by Captain Paul Jones, to whom it was awarded, in gold.
523. Defeat of Royal Forces at Cowpens, 1781. _Obv._ English
cavalry flying before American; Lieut.-Colonel Washington on
horseback l., commanding; above, Victory with wreath and palms.
GULIELMO WASHINGTON LEGIONIS EQUIT. PRÆFECTO; in ex., COMITIA
AMERICAN, DU V. _Rev._ Within laurel-wreath, inscription in
Latin, giving date of battle of Cowpens, XVII. JAN. MDCCLXXXI.
&c. Copper. Size 2·8. By B. Du Vivier.[37]
[37] Benjamin Du Vivier, son of J. Du Vivier, the medallist, b. at
Paris, 1730, was chief engraver to Louis XVI. He was afterwards
employed by the French Republican Government. Died 1795.
On 17 Jan. 1781, Colonel Tarleton, who commanded the British troops,
was defeated at a place called Cowpens by a force under General Morgan
and Lieut.-Colonel Washington, nephew of the Commander-in-chief.
524. Prosecution of the War with America, 1781. _Obv._ Bust of
King l., laur., in armour and cloak. GEORGIUS III. REX ANG.
_Rev._ Lion l., bursting his bonds. INDOCILIS PATI; in ex., IN
PERPET. MEMOR. MDCCLXXXI. Silver. Size 2·1.
This medal illustrates the determination of England to prosecute the
war with America to the "bitter end." The independence of the Colonies
was, however, acknowledged in the following year, 30 Nov. 1782, by the
Treaty of Paris.
525. War with Holland: Capture of the Island of St. Eustatius,
1781. _Obv._ Bust of Admiral Rodney r., in naval uniform. G.
B. RODNEY. _Rev._ Within oak-wreath, IN MEMORY OF THE GLORIOUS
3^{RD.} FEB^{RY.} 1781 WHEN S^R GEORGE PUNISH'D THE DUTCH &c.
&c. Silver. Size 1·35.
Holland having formed a secret treaty with the United States, a
declaration of war was proclaimed in London, and on 3 Feb. 1781
Admiral Sir George Rodney captured from the Dutch the rich Island of
St. Eustatius, in the West Indies. It was recaptured by the French in
the following year.
526. Action off Cadiz, 1781: Capture of the Castor. _Obv._
Ships on sea; one sinking. VIS VI FORTITER REPULSA; in ex.,
PROPE GADES. XXX. MAY. MDCCLXXXI. _Rev._ Trophy of three
shields, arms of Holland and of the Dutch ships the Castor
and Brill? surmounted by naval crown, anchors, and two flags
inscribed, P. MELVILL NAVARCHUS, and G. OORTHUIS NAVARCH.; sun
rising. ANTIQVA VIRTVTE DVVMVIRI; below, festoons with lion's
head in centre. I. G. HOLTZHEY FEC. Silver. Size 1·75. By J. G.
Holtzhey.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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