Lot 460: George III (1760-1820), Captain Cook's Second Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1772, the "Resolution and Adventure"

George III (1760-1820), Captain Cook's Second Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, 1772, the "Resolution and Adventure" or "Otaheite" medal, struck in silver, 44 m.m., by Matthew Boulton, laureate head of the king right, bf on truncation (Boulton fecit), george iii king of gr britain france and ireland etc , rev. view of the frigates "Resolution" and "Adventure" from astern, their names above, the Resolution's anchor horizontal, in exergue sailed from england march mdcclxxii (Betts 552; BHM 165; Eimer 744; MH 373), pleasantly toned, surface marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine, very rare

provenance :
The property of a Whitby family, Cook's home town. The family owned Tyreman's Coffee House, situated at the harbour's edge where the Marine Hotel now stands, which was in business before Cook set sail.

The second voyage was delayed and eventually set sail on 13th July 1772, and lasted just over 3 years. Cook sailed in H.M.S. Resolution. His aim was to determine the existence of an antarctic continent and explore the high southern latitudes.

Some mounted bronze (or brass gilt) medals were taken on the voyage for presentation to local chiefs and others as gifts. These were delivered to Cook. A total of 2,000 bronze medals were struck.

2 gold and 102 silver specimens were delivered to Sir Joseph Banks. Banks was the botanist who had accompanied the first expedition and intended to accompany the second, but who withdrew before they set sail.
It is thought the silver specimens were given to friends and sponsors.

All the medals are now extremely rare.