Lot 740
Loss of Minorca by Admiral Bing 1756, cast brass medal, 1756.

Ancient, British and World Coin Auction - Auction 121 | C25002
Auction: 9 July 2025 at 10:00 BST
£216
Description
Half-length figure of General Blakeney, holding British flag and baton which points to ship at right, fort firing cannon at left, BRAVE BLAKNEY REWARD above, BUT TO B GIVE A CORD in exergue, rev. Half-length figure of Byng receiving a purse WAS MINORCA. SOLD BY B, in exergue FOR FRENCH GOLD, ‘was’ and ‘by b’ stamped in rev. field, 35mm/14.36gm. (MI ii 680/395v; Eimer 653v), Good Very Fine, yellow brass toning.
Footnote
Very few specimens are known from the dies in this early state with the stamped words - it would appear that the first medals commemorating the loss, with the reverse legend MINORCA SOLD FOR FRENCH GOLD, were soon followed by those from which the reverse die was softened and the legend altered to WAS MINORCA SOLD BY B FOR FRENCH GOLD, ie the former stamped words being engraved on the die; these later strikes characteristically have a flaw in the exergue, that is not seen on this piece.

