1779 (pre-1842) Captain John Paul Jones / Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis Naval Medal. Original. Paris Mint. Betts-568, Adams-Bentley 8. Bronze. MS-63 BN (PCGS).56.0 mm. 82.0 grams. Plain edge. A handsome and exciting piece, fully original and only marginally less fine than the PCGS MS-63+BN example offered in the preceding lot. This one is more deeply toned overall, both sides with dominant autumn-brown patina that gives way to even bolder olive-gray in the protected areas around and within many of the design elements. The latter is largely associated with faint carbon that helps to define the grade, especially for the reverse, obverse with a few small to medium-size spots in the left, right and upper field areas. There are no marks of note, and the strike is full with all features crisp. Really a nice example of this type that has been underappreciated in recent years, and worthy of solid bids.
