1741 Admiral Vernon Medal. Cartagena. Adams-Chao CAvo 2-B, M-G 227. Rarity-5. Pinchbeck. AU-58 (PCGS). 37.3 mm. Outstanding quality for the type, both sides are well centered on the planchet and the overall design is sharply to fully executed. Surface preservation is also exceptional, and we note a hard, frosty texture that is free of detracting marks. Both sides are aglow in rich, vivid, brassy-gold with only a few inoffensive swirls of deeper color out of the way at the borders. Close inspection with a loupe reveals a few wispy hairlines, tiny carbon flecks and small planchet pits, all of which are easily overlooked during in hand viewing and mentioned here solely for accuracy. Modest traces of semi-prooflike reflectivity in the fields further enhance already strong eye appeal. This is one of the Cartagena medal types with portraits of both Vernon and Ogle on the obverse. We sold an NGC AU-53 example from the CAvo 2-B dies for $1,020 in our June 2020 Auction; the present piece is far finer and worthy of a premium.<p>The Battle of Cartagena de Indias took place during the War of Jenkins Ear (1739-1748). These medals, with the date 1741, refer to the third British attempt to take the Spanish fort, which ultimately failed despite the fact that British forces succeeded in seizing the outer line of defenses. This battle saw the first deployment of American colonial troops abroad.
