Description:

Pair of Naval Medals of Honor for John Paul Jones & Johnston Blakely

Two rare copper medals honoring American naval officers John Paul Jones and Johnston Blakely. The first, measuring 2" in diameter, ca. 1779, is a medal of John Paul Jones and the Serapis. The obverse features a bust of Jones facing right, with a Lain legend surrounding him translated to "John Paul Jones Commander of the Fleet The American Congress". The reverse shows Jones' ship the "Bonhomme Richard" with its side blown open after a magazine explosion. Next to her is the crippled British frigate "Serapis" and the additional Latin legend, "The Enemy Fleet Captured or Put to Flight Off Scotland's Shore 23 September, 1779." The medal was crafted by French engraver Augustin Dupré. The medal is matted and framed to the overall size of 6.5" x 6.5". Not inspected out of the frame. Very good overall, with minimal signs of wear or aging.

The second medal, measuring 2.5" in diameter, ca. 1814–1830, honors Blakely and the battle between the Wasp and the Reindeer. The obverse is a bust portrait of Blakely facing right, with a legend in Latin. The reverse depicts a battle between the War-Sloop Wasp and the HMS Reindeer. Struck by engraver Moritz Fürst. With light wear and rubbing. Overall very good.

On October 16, 1787, Congress unanimously voted to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Captain John Paul Jones for his “valor and brilliant services” during the Battle of Flamborough Head, which had taken place eight years earlier. On September 23, 1779, Jones, aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, was leading a squadron of American and French vessels when he ran across a British convoy escorting 44 merchant ships from Scandinavia to England. Knowing that he could not out-gun the 44-gun Serapis, Jones made every attempt to instead lock the Bonhomme Richard with the British ship. It was during this battle that Jones uttered the apocryphal statement "I have not yet begun to fight!" when asked if he would surrender. After an hour of fighting, Jones succeeded in locking the ships, and nearly four hours later the Serapis surrendered. Much of the British convoy had escaped, but Jones had ultimately won the day. Eight years later, Jones was presented with the gold medal, becoming the first and only Continental Navy officer to receive this distinction for his service during the American Revolution.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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