temp. HANOVER. Sir William Sidney Smith, admiral. 1764-1840. Æ Medal (41mm, 38.28 g, 12h). Mudie’s National Medals Series: Siege of Acre. By G. Mills & N. G. A. Brenet. Dated 1799 in Roman numerals [though issued 1820].

Electronic Auction 484
Lot: 1250. Estimated: $ 200

British Medals, Bronze

Sold For $ 400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Go to Live

temp. HANOVER. Sir William Sidney Smith, admiral. 1764-1840. Æ Medal (41mm, 38.28 g, 12h). Mudie’s National Medals Series: Siege of Acre. By G. Mills & N. G. A. Brenet. Dated 1799 in Roman numerals [though issued 1820]. ADMIRAL SIR S SMITH, bust left, in military attire / Lion (Britain) reclining left, head right, protecting camel (Syria) from tiger (France) upon rocky pass to right; in five lines in exergue, ACRE DEFENDED/BUONAPARTE REPULSED/SYRIA SAVED/XXTH MAY/MDCCLXXXXIX. BHM 476; Eimer 906. Brown surfaces, a few scratches and marks. EF.

Ex Numismatica Ars Classica 115 (28 May 2019), lot 2213; ANPB Collection (Varesi 64, 29 April 2014), lot 40.

The unsuccessful French siege of the port city of Acre marked a turning point in Napoléon’s campaigns in Egypt and Syria. While Napoléon expected Acre to fall quickly, he met staunch resistance from the Ottoman commander Jezzar Pasha’s forces, who were ably assisted by a Royal Navy flotilla under the direction of Admiral Smith. After two months the French were forced to retreat. Late in life, Napoléon Bonaparte remarked of Admiral Smith: “That man made me miss my destiny.”

Closing Date and Time: 27 January 2021 at 16:56:20 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.