- Museum number
- G3,EM.40
- Description
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Gold medal. (whole)
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Neptune, in his sea chariot, left, presents his trident, decorated with a crown, and a mural crown to Britannia, standing upon the shore. (reverse)
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Bust of Anne, left, hair bound with pearls, lovelock on the right shoulder, in gown and mantle tied in a knot on the left shoulder. (obverse)
- Production date
- 1704
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 39.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 2, published in 1885, states:
Not rare.
This medal commemorates the capture of Gibraltar, 24 July [O. S.] 1704, by Sir George Rooke and Sir Cloudesley Shovel, and a naval engagement which took place shortly afterwards off Malaga. Rooke having failed in an attempt upon Barcelona, and having been joined by Sir Cloudesley Shovel, determined to attack Gibraltar. He entered the Bay on the 21st July, the bombardment of the place commenced on the 23rd July, and the governor surrendered on the following day. The land forces used in the attack were commanded by the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt. Shortly after this event, Rooke, having crossed over to the coast of Barbary to procure water, observed the French fleet, under the Comte de Toulouse, sailing towards Toulon. He immediately followed it, and, after several days' pursuit, brought it to action off Malaga. A severe fight ensued, with very heavy loss on both sides: night put an end to the engagement, and the wind shifting, the French steered off. Rooke followed, and for some days endeavoured in vain to induce them to renew the action. The two fleets were nearly equal in number of ships, but the French were greatly superior in size, number of men, and weight of metal. The engagement could scarcely be claimed as a victory by either side.
See Rapin de Thoyras, Paul, ‘The Metallick History of the Reigns of William III and Queen Mary, Queen Anne, and King George I. [N. Tindal’s edition.], London, 1747, iii. 7. Van Loon, Gerard, ‘Histoire Métallique des XVII. Provinces des Pays-Bas’, 5 vol. La Haye, 1732-1837 (fol) [There is also an edition in Dutch, but with different paging], 454; Thesaurus Numismatum Modernorum hujus Seculi, &c., Norinbergiæ, 405.
- Location
- Not on display
- Associated events
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Commemoration of: Capture of Gibraltar
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Commemoration of: Naval Battle off Malaga
- Acquisition date
- 1825
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- G3,EM.40
- C&M catalogue number
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MB2 (Medallic Illustrations 2) (266) (64)
