Lot 739
Action off Toulon, 1743-1744. "Gallows", AE cast medal (1746) unsigned.

Ancient, British and World Coin Auction - Auction 121 | C25002
Auction: 9 July 2025 at 10:00 BST
£132
Description
Man hanging from a gibbet (probably Mathews) with aftermath of naval action in background with letters A B C D in field, date "1743/4" below, rev. Column of troops before (English) lion subduing a (French) cockerel, ships beyond approaching fortified coastal town, letters E F G H I around. 38.5mm/12.11gm. (MI ii 584/224; Eimer 582). The overall ‘crude’ style is suggestive of the Admiral Vernon series. Almost Extremely Fine for issue, yellow brass colour to patination, a little cabinet friction to high points, rare.
Footnote
In 1744, a combined Franco-Spanish fleet put to flight Britain's Mediterranean fleet just off the French naval base of Toulon. It was regarded as a mortifying defeat and the admiral in command, Thomas Matthews, was court-martialled in 1746 for leading the fleet into action, in a chaotic fashion which resulted in the fleet fleeing, in total disorder, from the pursuing Franco-Spanish. Mathews was dismissed from naval service. It is most likely that a pamphlet was issued accompanying this enigmatic medal, spelling out the letter designations of the different aspects of the events, although hitherto, no such pamphlet has been discovered.

