Lot 214: George III (1760-1820), Captain Cook's Second Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1772, the 'Resolution and Adventure' or 'Otaheite'...

George III (1760-1820), Captain Cook's Second Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1772, the 'Resolution and Adventure' or 'Otaheite' Medal, silver plated bronze medal, 43mm., laureate head right, signed B:F on truncation, rev . H.M. Ships Resolution and Adventure under sail, the Resolution's anchor in vertical position, names above, sailed. from. england. march. mdcclxxii in exergue (Betts 552; BHM 165, Eimer 744; MH.373), usual die flaw on reverse, contemporary loop for attachment at top, the silvering worn on the high points, very fine, very rare

The bronze medals, of which 2000 were struck by Matthew Boulton and paid for by the Admiralty, were intended for distribution during the voyage. Similar examples, with the same style of contemporary mount and the same die flaw on the reverse, are known. Mounted examples that were distributed during the voyage usually show some signs of wear.
The bronze medals were struck from two dies, the first with the anchor vertical, as this example, the other with the anchor horizontal. This second die was also used to strike silver and gold medals which were ordered by Joseph Banks and these were not taken on the voyage.