Watch List notes:

HISTORIEPENNIGEN - HISTORICAL MEDALS - RESOLUTION AND ADVENTURE MEDAL 1772, by by M. Boulton great Britain. Bust of George III facing right, his hair tied behind with a ribbon. GEORGE· III·KING· OF· GR· BRITAIN· FRANCE· AND· AND· IRELAND· ETC· Rev. HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure advancing towards the horizon, the date of departure below. RESOLUTION/ ADVENTURE/ SAILED· FROM· ENGLAND· MARCH· MDCCLXXIIBetts 552; BHM 165; Eimer 744; Requejo 2015, 120.An illustrious example of this historical medallion struck to be presented among indigenous chiefs throughout the Pacific on the second voyage (1772-1775) of Captain James Cook (1728-1779). The remainder of the medals were awarded during Cooks' third pacific voyage (1776-1780). Records indicate that these bronze medals were distributed by Cook himself among Maori chiefs in the Southern part of New Zealand and natives of the Hawaiian islands. In both cases, these medals were the very first Western objects ever handed out to indigenous populations.
While this medal is an attractive piece with excellent details, this example was distributed, seeing some wear on the bust and the vessels as well as being provided with a suspension loop. The reverse die is partially broken, which is prototypical for all the medals that were awarded. Despite these minor flaws, there is no historical artifact that can be more closely associated with the point of native-western contact in the pacific, having a pedigree that can be directly traced back to Captain Cook!AE 42.2 mm. RRR. Of the highest rarity With original suspension loop! Extremely fine