GEORGE II. 1727—1760.
487. Accession to Electorate, &c., 1727. Obv. Bust of King l., laur., wearing armour and cloak. GEORGIVS II. D. G. MAG. BRIT. FR. &c. E. HANNIBAL F. Rev. Horse of Brunswick galloping l. over rocks. NEC ASPERA TERRENT (motto); in ex., SVCCESSIO ELECTORALIS. MDCCXXVII. E. H. Silver. Size 2·5. By E. Hannibal.
George I. died at Osnaburg, 11 June, 1727, and his son, George II., was proclaimed King four days afterwards, 15 June.
488. Coronation, 1727. Obv. Bust of King l., laur., wearing armour and cloak. GEORGIVS II. D. G. MAG. BR. FR. ET HIB. REX. I. C. Rev. King enthroned r., crowned by Britannia, holding cornucopiae and resting on fasces. PER POPULOS VOLENTES; in ex., CORON. XI. OCTOB. MDCCXXVII. Gold. Size 1·35. By J. Croker.
George II. was crowned 11 Oct. 1727.
489. Coronation of Queen, 1727. Obv. Bust of Queen l., draped. CAROLINA D. G. MAG. BR. FR. &c. I. C. Rev. Queen facing between Religion holding book and Britannia with spear and shield. HIC AMOR HÆC PATRIA; in ex., CORON. XI. OCTOB. MDCCXXVII. Gold. Size 1·3. By J. Croker.
Caroline, wife of George II., dau. of John Frederic, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, born 1683, mar. 1705, died 1737.
490. The Royal Family of England, 1732. Obv. Busts, face to face, of King in armour and cloak, and Queen draped. GEORGIVS II. REX ET CAROLINA REGINA; below, MDCCXXXII; on arm of King, I. C. Rev. Seven busts in profile of the Royal children, the Prince of Wales in centre l., on his arm T. FELICITAS IMPERII; in ex., names of the two Princes and five Princesses. Gold. Size 2·7. By J. Croker and J. Sigmund Tanner.[30]
The Royal children were Frederic Prince of Wales, William Duke of Cumberland, and the Princesses, Anne, Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and Louisa.
491. Frederic Prince of Wales. Obv. Bust of Prince l., in armour. FREDERIC. WALLIÆ PRINCEPS. J. A. DASSIER. Rev. Coronet, plumes, and motto of Prince of Wales, supported by two infant angels in clouds. Copper. Size 2·1. By J. A. Dassier.[31]
Frederic, Prince of Wales, born 1707; mar. 1736 Augusta, dau. of Frederic II., Duke of Saxe-Gotha; died 1751.
492. War of Spanish Succession: Second Treaty of Vienna, 1731. Obv. Head of King l.,laur. GEORGIVS II. D. G. MAG. BRI. FRA. &c. I. C. Rev. Neptune in sea-chariot r., contending with the four winds. PRÆSTAT COMPONERE. (Virg. Aen. i. 139); in ex., FOEDVS VIENNENSE. MDCCXXXI. Gold. Size 1·8. By J. Croker.
The second Treaty of Vienna, between England, France, Spain, Holland, and the Emperor, signed 5 Mar. 1731, terminated the disputes which arose out of the Spanish Succession.
493. War with Spain: Taking of Porto Bello, 1739. Obv. Admiral Vernon towards l., in naval uniform; in background, ship, and Fort Chagree; above which, A VIEW OF FORT CHAGRE. THE BRITISH GLORY REVIV.D (sic) BY ADMIRAL VERNON. Rev. English fleet in Porto Bello harbour. HE TOOK PORTO BELLO WITH SIX SHIPS ONLY; in ex., NOV. 22. 1739. Brass. Size 1·45.
Immediately after the declaration of war against Spain, 19 Oct. 1739, Commodore Anson was sent to blockade the coast of Peru, and Admiral Vernon to attack Porto Bello, which he captured 22 Nov. 1739 with the small force of six men-of-war.
494. Attempt on Carthagena, 1741. Obv. Admiral Vernon towards l., in naval uniform; in the distance, Carthagena. ADM VERNON VIEWING THE TOWN OF CARTHAGENA. Rev. View of harbour of Carthagena; outside, English ships; within, boat, over which DON BLASS.—HE DESTROYD THE FORTS OF CARTHAGENA; in ex., APRIL 1741. Pewter. Size 1·4.
Admiral Vernon attacked Carthagena 4 Mar. 1741, but only succeeded in destroying a portion of its defences. Of this and the previous medal there are a large number of varieties.
495—496. War of the Austrian Succession: Victory of Dettingen, 1743. Obv. Bust of King l., in armour and cloak. GEORGIVS II. D. G. MAGN. BRIT. FR. &c. D. HAESLING F. Rev. The King on horseback l., commanding at battle of Dettingen: distant view of engagement. LIBERTAS FAVORE DEI ET VIRTVTE MILITIS RESTITVTA; in ex., AD DETTINGAM. D. XXVII. IVN. MDCCXLIII. Gold and silver. Size 2·6. By D. Haesling.
At Dettingen, George II., with an army of 40,000 English and Hanoverians, defeated the French under the Duc de Noailles and the Duc de Grammont. In consequence of this defeat, the French were compelled to evacuate Germany. This medal was executed by Daniel Haesling, a native of East Gothland and pupil of Hedlinger. He worked chiefly for the kings of Poland and Denmark.
497. Battle of Fontenoy, 1745. Obv. Head of Louis XV. r., bound with diadem. LUD. XV. REX CHRISTIANISS. F. M. Rev. Louis XV. with the Dauphin in triumphal quadriga r., crowned by Victory. DECUS IMPERII GALLICI; in ex., HOSTES AB IPSOMET REGE FUSI AD FONTENOIUM. XI. MAII. MDCCXLV. Copper. Size 1·6. By F. Marteau.
The defeat of the Allies at Fontenoy was mainly due to the flight of the Dutch. The Allies were commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, and the French by Louis XV. and Marshal Saxe. F. Marteau was one of the engravers to Louis XV.
498. Jacobite Rebellion: Battle of Culloden, 1746. Obv. Bust of Duke of Cumberland r., wearing armour and lion's skin. GULIELMUS GEOR. II. R. FIL. DUX CUMBRIÆ; on arm, R. YEO F. Rev. Hercules raising Britannia l., and trampling on Rebellion holding serpents. PERDVELLIB. EX ANG. FVGAT. AD CULLOD. DEBELLAT. 16. APR. 1746. Gold. Size 2. By R. Yeo.
By the battle of Culloden, 16 Apr. 1746, in which the Scots, under Prince Charles Edward and Lord G. Murray, were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland, the cause of the Jacobites was hopelessly crushed. This medal is by Richard Yeo, who for many years during the reign of George II. was employed as one of the assistant engravers at the Royal Mint.
499. War of the Austrian Succession: Naval engagement off Cape Finisterre, 1747. Obv. Head of Admiral Anson l., crowned by Victory, standing on prow. GEORGE LORD ANSON. VICT. MAY III. MDCCXLVII. T. PINGO F. Rev. Victory with wreath and trophy towards l., standing on sea-monster above globe. CIRCVMNAVIGATION; around, each within laurel-wreath, names of SAVNDERS, BRETT, DENNIS, CAMPBELL, KEPPEL, SAVMAREZ. MDCCXL. MDCCXLIV. Gold. Size 1·65. By T. Pingo.[32]
This medal commemorates the defeat of the French fleet off Cape Finisterre, 3 May, 1747, by Admiral Lord Anson.
500. Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, 1748. Obv. Priestess l., sacrificing at altar; above, in clouds, female figure holding cornucopiae, olive-branch, and scales; on l., lion of Holland resting on Bible and holding staff with cap of Liberty. E SVPERIS ASTRÆA REDVX BONA SÆCVLA REDDENS; in ex., PAX AQVISGRANI SANCITA ANNO LIB. IVBILÆO. MDCCXLVIII. Rev. Eight shields crowned, attached to orange-branches and lilies—arms of England, France, Empire, Spain, Holland, Sardinia, Italy, and Prussia; in centre, burning heart, pierced with arrows. REDUNIVNTVR. Silver. Size 1·7.
By the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the war of the Austrian Succession was brought to an end. The treaty was signed by all the belligerent parties, in October 1748, Sardinia excepted. This medal was executed in Holland.
501. Conquest of Canada: Louisburg taken, 1758. Obv. Globe, inscribed CANADA. AMERICA, resting on prostrate fury at edge of rock, who drops fleur-de-lis and points to boats in sea; on either side of globe, Grenadier and Canadian; above, Fame l., English flag and scroll inscribed, PARITER IN BELLA. T. PINGO F. Rev. Louisburg bombarded. LOVISBOVRG TAKEN. MDCCLVIII: edge engraved with names of Boscawen, Amherst, and Pitt. Silver. Size 1·7. By T. Pingo.
Louisburg was captured from the French, 27 July, 1758. Generals Amherst and Wolfe commanded the land forces, and Admiral Boscawen the fleet.
502. Taking of Quebec, 1759. Obv. Head of Britannia l., bound with fillet; above, BRITANNIA; below, laurel-wreath, uniting trident and standard. SAVNDERS. WOLFE. Rev. Victory l., crowning trophy; at base, captive seated bound, and prow of ship. QVEBEC TAKEN. MDCCLIX.; in ex., SOC. P. A. C. Silver. Size 1·5.
On 13 Sep. 1759, the heights of Abraham above Quebec were captured by Wolfe, who was killed in the action. The town of Quebec surrendered five days afterwards. Admiral Saunders commanded the fleet. This medal and the following (Nos. [503]—5) were issued by the Society for the Promotion of Arts and Commerce.
503. Canada Subdued, 1760. Obv. Head of King l., laur. GEORGE II. KING. Rev. Weeping female figure seated r. beneath pine-tree; on the other side, beaver. CANADA SUBDUED; in ex., MDCCLX. S. P. A. C. Silver. Size 1·5.
After the capture of Quebec, it was arranged that the garrison should be conveyed to the nearest French port. In the following year the conquest of the whole of Canada was completed. The reverse type of this medal is suggested by the well-known "Judaea Capta" on Roman coins.
504. War of East India Company: Victory of Plassy, 1757. Obv. Victory, with trophy and palm, on elephant l. VICTORY AT PLASSY CLIVE COMMANDER; in ex., MDCCLVIII. SOC. P. A. C. Rev. Clive in dress of Roman warrior l., holding standard in l. hand and presenting sceptre of Nawab (Nabob) of Bengal to Meer Jaafar (Jaffier); between them, globe, cornucopiae, and rudder. INIVRIES ATTONED PRIVILEGE AVGMENTED TERRITORY ACQVIRED. A SOVBAH GIVEN TO BENGAL. MDCCLVIII. Silver. Size 1·5.
This medal records the defeat of Siraj-ed-dawleh (Surajah Dowlah) at Plassy by Clive, 23 June, 1757, and the appointment of Meer Jaafar to be his successor as Nawab (Nabob) of Bengal, &c.
505. War in Africa: Taking of Goree, 1758. Obv. Head of Britannia, l.; behind, trident. O FAIR BRITANNIA HAIL. Rev. Victory with wreath and palm on prow, r. GOREE TAKEN. MDCCLVIII. Silver. Size 1·55.
The island of Goree was captured from the French by Commodore Keppel, 28 Dec. 1758.
506. Seven Years' War: Battle of Minden, 1759. Obv. Mars with scourge and shield, surrounded by French arms and flags, dispersing enemy, who are seen flying in the distance. VIRTVTI CEDIT NVMERVS; in ex., PRŒLIVM MINDENSE. I. AVG. MDCCLIX. I. G. HOLTZHEY FEC. Rev. View of the valley of the Weser; in foreground, olive-tree entwined with vine; at base, keys in mural crowns and wheat-sheaves. POST TOT DISCRIMINA RERVM. (Virg. Aen. i. 408); in ex., FERD. PR. BRVNSV. EXERC. FOED. DVX. Silver. Size 1·9. By J. G. Holtzhey.[33]
At the battle of Minden, 31 July, 1759, the French, under Marshal Contades and the Duke de Broglie, were defeated by the Hanoverians and English, commanded by Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick and Lord George Sackville. Nothing but the refusal of Lord Sackville to complete the victory by a charge of Ferdinand's horse saved the French from utter rout.
507. Another. Obv. Bust of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick r., in armour and cloak. FERD. OF BRVNSWICK; on arm, KIRK. Rev. View of battle; Prince Ferdinand in foreground commanding. PROTESTANTS REIOICING; in ex., THE FRENCH BEATEN AT MINDEN. MDCCLIX. Silver. Size 1·4. By John Kirk.
John Kirk's work dates from the second half of the 18th cent. He executed a large number of medalets.
508. Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, 1744. Obv. Bust l., wearing star and ribbon of Garter. ROBERTUS WALPOLE. A. DASSIER F. Rev. Within ornamented border, COMES DE ORFORD. MDCCXLIV. Copper. Size 2·15. By J. A. Dassier.
Sir Robert Walpole, Earl of Orford, statesman, b. 1676, Secretary for War 1708, Treasurer of the Navy 1709, Chancellor of the Exchequer and First Lord of the Treasury 1715—17, Paymaster of the Forces 1720, Prime Minister 1721—1742; d. 1745.
509. Lord Carteret, 1744. Obv. Bust r., in civilian's dress. IOHANNES CARTERET. A. DASSIER F. Rev. Within ornamented border, BARO DE CARTERET. MDCCXLIV. Copper. Size 2·1. By J. A. Dassier.
Lord John Carteret, aft. Earl Granville, statesman, b. 1690, Second Sec. of State 1721, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1724—26 and again 1729—30, First Secretary of State 1742—1744; d. 1763.
510. Earl of Chesterfield, 1743. Obv. Bust l., wearing star and ribbon. PHILIPPUS STANHOPE, I. A. DASSIER F. Rev. Within ornamented border, COMES DE CHESTERFIELD. MDCCXLIII. Copper. Size 2·1. By J. A. Dassier.
Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, statesman and writer, b. 1694, Ambassador at the Hague 1728 and 1745, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1745, Second Sec. of State 1746: assisted in the Reformation of the Calendar 1752; d. 1773.
511. Earl of Chatham. Obv. Bust l., in tie-wig and civilian's dress. GVLIELMVS PITT; on arm, T. PINGO F. Rev. THE MAN WHO HAVING SAVED THE PARENT PLEADED WITH SUCCESS FOR HER CHILDREN. Silver. Size 1·55. By T. Pingo.
William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, statesman, b. 1708, Vice-Treasurer for Ireland 1746, Paymaster-General of the Army 1747—55, First Secretary of State 1756 and again 1757—1761, Lord Privy Seal and Prime Minister 1766—68; d. 1778.
This medal refers to Chatham's foreign policy and desire to stop England's contest with her colonies.
512. General Wolfe, 1759. Obv. Bust l., in armour and cloak. IACOBUS WOLFE ANGLUS. GOSSET M. KIRK F. Rev. Urn on pedestal, inscribed, PRO PATRIA; above, laurel-wreath; around, arms and flags. IN VICTORIA CÆSVS; in ex., QVEBECÆ. SEPT. XIII. MDCCLIX. Silver. Size 1·4. By C. Gosset and J. Kirk.
Major-General James Wolfe, b. 1726, served at Dettingen, Fontenoy, Falkirk, and Culloden; commanded in Canada, and was killed in the attack on Quebec, 13 Sept. 1759.
513. Lord Clive, 1766. Obv. Bust, three-quarters l., wearing embroidered coat and ribbon and star. ROBERT CLIVE BARON OF PLASSEY. I. U. N. F. Rev. Fame facing, pointing at obelisk, inscribed with achievements of Clive. HONOUR THE REWARD OF MERIT; in ex., ANNO 1766. C. G. Copper. Size 1·6. By C. Gosset.
Robert Lord Clive, b. 1725, in service of the East India Company, defeated Siraj-ed-dawleh (Surajah Dowlah), Nawab (Nabob) of Bengal, at Plassey, 23 June, 1757; Governor and Commander-in-chief in Bengal 1764—67; d. 1774.