Medal commemorating the Expedition to Vigo Bay, 1702

Medal commemorating the expedition to Vigo Bay, 1702. Obverse: Neptune (right), his trident in his left hand, seated in his sea chariot drawn by horses, supported by three nereids, holding the shields of England, Holland and the Empire, and Victory (left), palm in hand, upholding a scroll. Inscribed on scroll, the names of the ships, burnt, sunk or taken: 'NAVES GALLICAE ET HISP . LE FORT . IN . LE PROMT . OC . L'ASSEVRE . OC . L'ESPERANCE . S . LE BOURBON O . LA SIRENE . SV . LE SOLIDE . INC . LE FERME . OCC . LE PRUDENT INC . LE MODERE OCC . LE SUPERBE . SVB . LA DAUPHINE . IN . LE VOLVNTAIRE . LE TRITON . OCC . L'ENFLAMA . INC . L'ENTREPREN . IN . LE FAVOTI . INC . LA CHOQVANTE . I . 3 CORVETTES . IN . 17 CARAVELLES . I . 9 GALIONS . OCC. 2 GALIONS . SV .' Legend: 'HIS MILITAT AETHER.' (Heaven fights for these.) Exergue: 'OB CLASSEM HOSTIVM DELEDAM GAZASQVE INDICAS EREPTAS IN PORTV AD VIGOS. D 22 OCT. CIC IC CCII.' (Upon the destruction of the enemy's fleet and the capture of the treasure of India in the Harbour of Vigos.) Reverse: View of Vigo harbour and forts, the French fleet and galleons withdrawn up the river; the chain boom across the mouth; forts and batteries manned for defence - the allied fleets outside. Legend: 'ET CONIVRATI VENIVNT AD CLASSICA VENTI.' (And the confederate winds come at the trumpets' call.)

Object Details

ID: MEC0313
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Nürnberger, Georg Friedrich; George Hautsch
Places: Germany
Events: War of the Spanish Succession: Battle of Vigo Bay, 1702
Date made: 1702
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 47 mm