STUART. Anne. 1702-1714. AR Medal (37mm, 18.21 g, 12h). Expedition to Vigo Bay. By J. Croker. Dated 12 October 1702 (in Roman numerals). Good VF.

Electronic Auction 590
Lot: 1036.
Closing Date: Jul 2 2025 10:00 ET

British Medals, Silver

Estimate: $ 300

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STUART. Anne. 1702-1714. AR Medal (37mm, 18.21 g, 12h). Expedition to Vigo Bay. By J. Croker. Dated 12 October 1702 (in Roman numerals). ANNA · DEI · GRA : MAG : BR : FRA : ET · HIB : REGINA ·, crowned and draped bust left / CAPTA · ET · INCENSA · GAL · ET · HISP : CLASSE ·, view of Vigo harbor, with burning Spanish and French vessels within and under attack by British and Dutch vessels under sail right at its mouth; two forts to right; AD · VIGVM · XII · OCT :/ MDCCII · in exergue. MI 236/18; Eimer 395; Betts 97. Light iridescent toning, marks, hairlines. Good VF. Rare.

From the Drewry Family Collection.

The War of the Spanish Succession, sparked by Louis XIV of France’s attempts to expand his regional hegemony, flared into a continent-wide conflict, with France, Spain, and Bavaria opposed by a coalition centered around England, Holland, and Austria. One aim of the Allies was to deprive Spain of the wealth derived from its American colonies. When Admiral Sir George Rooke, commander of the combined fleet, learned the 1702 treasure had arrived at Vigo Bay in Spain, he resolved to seize it. His force of fifty ships besieged the harbor, destroying the French fleet guarding the convoy, sinking most of the ships and capturing cargo worth some 2 million pounds at the time. A special issue of gold and silver coins was struck from the captured plate and a number of medals honored the great naval victory.

Closing Date and Time: 2 July 2025 at 15:45:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.