A Guide to the Exhibition of English Medals

by British Museum. Department of Coins and Medals; Herbert A. Grueber

152. Another. Similar: with plain reverse and no ring. Silver. Oval. Size .95. Struck. By T. Simon.

153. Naval Reward. Service against Six Ships, 1650. Obv. Anchor, from which are suspended two shields, arms of England and Ireland, the whole encircled by cable. MERUISTI. Rev. Ship in close action with two others, four more in the distance. SERVICE DON AGAINST SIX SHIPS JVLY Y. XXXI. & AVGUST Y. I. 1650. Silver. Oval. Size 1·6. Struck.

Captain Wyard, in a Ship of twenty-two guns, when convoying four merchant vessels from Hull to Amsterdam, was attacked by six Irish frigates, which after a long conflict he beat off. This medal was struck for distribution amongst Captain Wyard and his crew.

Although this medal has the same obverse type as the following one, it seems somewhat doubtful whether it was executed by T. Simon.

154. Naval Reward, 1650. Obv. Similar to preceding; on the beam of the anchor, T.S. Rev. Parliament assembled in one house with Speaker. Gold. Oval. Size .95. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.

Executed in 1650 by order of Parliament, and bestowed for naval service.

155. Naval Reward, 1653. Blake's victories over the Dutch. Obv. Anchor, from which are suspended three shields, arms of England, Scotland and Ireland; the whole encircled by cable. Rev. Naval engagement; the stern of one vessel inscribed, SIMON; on the prow of another, T.S.; broad border of trophies from the Dutch. Lead. Oval. Size 2·2. Struck. By T. Simon.

Four of these medals were ordered by the Parliament to be struck in commemoration of naval victories over the Dutch. Two with chains of £300 value each were presented to Blake and Monk; two with chains of £100 value each, to Admirals Penn and Lawson. Of these medals three are extant. In 1651, when Scotland was incorporated with the Commonwealth, a third shield was introduced, in the arms of Great Britain. The shield of Scotland is not on the naval reward of 1650. (See No. [153].)

156. Another. Similar: with border of laurel leaves. Gold. Oval. Size 2. Struck; with ring for suspension. By T. Simon.

Four of these medals were struck for presentation with chains of the value of £40 each to the four flag officers. Of these one is in the possession of C. D. Holworthy, who inherited it from his maternal ancestor, Capt. Haddock.