Stock No. 2956	Silver medal Defeat of the French Fleet off Cape Finisterre
Striking silver George II medal commemorating Lord Anson's victory and capture of the French fleet off Cape Finisterre, 3 May 1747. By Thomas Pingo. Obverse: Bust of Lord Anson looking left, hair short, no drapery, crowned by Victory standing behind on the prow of a galley. Legend: GEORGE LORD ANSON . VICT . MAY III MDCCXLVII. Below, T. PINGO . F. Reverse: Victory, holding a wreath and a trophy, stands on the back of a sea monster, over a small globe. Legend: CIRCVNAVIGATION. Around, are six laurel wreaths enclosing the names of KEPPEL, SAVMAREZ, SAVNDERS, BRETT, DENNIS and CAMPBEL. Underneath, MDCCXL-MDCCXLIV. (See Medallic Illustrations vol.II, p.634/325. Maker :- Thomas Pingo

Condition :-Extremely Fine
Circa :- 1747
Size :- 1.7 inches (43.18 mm) diameter
The design of the obverse of this medal is imitated from a copper coin of Augustus and commemorates Anson's victory against the French. The medal's reverse records Anson's celebrated voyage round the world in which he was engaged from September 1740 to June 1747. During this voyage he suffered many disasters, achieved some successes and finally captured the Spanish galleon, the Nuestra Senora de Covadonga with a treasure exceeding œ300,000. The six names enclosed in laurel wreaths on the reverse are those of the officers of his own ship, the Centurion. (See the Gentleman's Magazine 1786, p.632) Thomas Pingo was born in Italy, came to England about 1745, appointed Assistant Engraver to the Mint in 1771, died 1776. His best works date from 1745 to 1764, during which period he was much employed by the Society for Promoting Arts & Commerce.

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