Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Naval Reward, 1650, a cast oval silver medal, unsigned, shields of England and Ireland suspended from the beam of an anchor, meruisti above, rev. ship flanked by frigates, service don against six ships and date above, 40 x 33mm, 17.83g (Platt p.333; MI I, 390/11; MH 36; cf. Lessen, BNJ 1981, pl. vii, 1, for obverse). Very fine and toned, extremely rare; suspension loop added contemporaneously £2,400-£3,000

Provenance: C. Foley Collection, Woolley & Wallis Auction (Salisbury), 16 October 2014, lot 356 [from A.C. Eimer 2013].

The six ships were Irish frigates, engaged and defeated by Captain Robert Wyard of the Adventure, escorting a convoy from Hull to London and Rotterdam in a 14-hour overnight engagement on 31 July and 1 August 1650. Within days of the action the Council of State met to consider “what Reward and Recompence shall be thought fit to be given to Captain Robert Wyard for his good Service; and to the Master and Owner of the Ship, in respect of the Damage done to the Ship.” Medals were presented to Wyard, his officers and crew