Medal commemorating the 2nd voyage of Captain James Cook, 1772

Medal commemorating the second voyage of Captain James Cook, 1772. He took a considerable number of these medals with him for distribution among the local people. Joseph Banks had 2,000 medals struck in base metal for this purpose and 146 in silver for distribution to his friends. Obverse: Bust of King George II, laureate (right). Legend: 'GEORGE . III . KING . OF . GR . BRITAIN . FRANCE . AND . IRELAND . ETC.' Reverse: Port-quarter view of the 'Adventure' (right) under sail; starboard-quarter view of 'Resolution' (left). Legend: 'RESOLVTION ADVENTVRE'. Exergue: 'SAILED . FROM . ENGLAND . MARCH . MDCCLXXII'.

Object Details

ID: MEC1384
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Medal
Display location: Not on display
Creator: W. Barnett
Events: Exploration: Cook's Second Voyage, 1772
Vessels: Resolution (purchased 1771); Adventure (purchased 1771)
Date made: 1772
People: King George III; Cook, James W. Barnett
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 42 mm x 42 mm x 3 mm