GREAT BRITAIN. George II. 1727-1760. Æ brass medal. 13.53 gm. 38 mm. Admiral Vernon Medal. Porto Bello Taken. 1739. Full-length figure of Vernon standing right holding sword, cannon right and ship left; THE BRITISH GLO[RY REVIV ]D BY ADMIRAL VERNON around / Ships at Portobello harbor; HE TOOK PORTOBELLO WITH SIX SHIPS ONLY. Betts 230. Adams & Chao PBvi 23Z. Very Fine; the top 20% neatly trimmed off.

"The War of Jenkins' Ear." Robert Jenkins, British captain of a merchant ship harshly interrogated by the Spanish near Havana in 1731 lost his ear in the process and this became part of the rallying cry in Britain to respond to Spain amidst fierce trade rivalry. The hawkish Admiral Vernon had some limited (and exaggerated) success and "Vernonmania" ensued with a rash of medals. However, in the long and costly run, Britain's Caribbean goals failed.