1779 (1845-1860) Captain John Paul Jones / Bonhomme Richard vs. Serapis Naval Medal. Paris Mint Restrike from Original Dies. Bronze. 56 mm. Betts-568, Julian NA-1, Adams-Bentley 8. Specimen-64 (PCGS).Delightful Choice quality for this popular and eagerly sought type. Both sides are beautifully and originally toned, the obverse in autumn-brown and the reverse a bit more boldly patinated in medium copper brown. Direct lighting calls forth vivid undertones of reddish-mahogany on both sides, as well as subtle semi-reflective qualities in the fields. The design elements are satiny in texture, smartly impressed and fully defined. Free of detracting blemishes, this overall smooth and visually appealing specimen is knocking on the door of a full Gem grade. Marked on the edge with a pointing hand and CUIVRE, the Paris Mint mark that attributes this piece to the 1845 to 1860 striking period, though it was struck from the original dies executed by the skilled Augustin Dupre, which retain all of the diagnostic markers thereof. These include three tiny "dashes" between the words CLASSIS and PRAEFECTO on the obverse, a small concentration of rust above the ribbon that binds Jones hair, a tiny slip of the engravers hand or similar die injury below the letter O in JONES, considerable rust around the letter A in PAVLO, and a slip of the engravers hand on the reverse that joins the top of the letters IB in NAVIBVS. The present example also exhibits an inked collector or museum number on the edge just passed the Paris Mint edge markings, the digits 34 plainly evident, but additional digits (if there are any) obscured by the PCGS holder.<p>Arguably the most popular of the early American naval medals, Adams-Bentley 8 was produced to commemorate the tactical victory of a Franco-American naval squadron under the command of Continental Navy Captain John Paul Jones over two British warships protecting a merchant convoy on September 23, 1779. Known to history as the Battle of Flamborough Head, the battle took place in the North Sea off the coast of Yorkshire and is widely regarded as one of the most significant naval engagements of the Revolutionary War by the Americans. During the engagement, Jones ship <em>Bonhomme Richard</em> forced the surrender of the British HMS <em>Serapis</em> under the command of Captain Sir Richard Pearson in close combat.<p>
