Live Auction 7470Exploration and Travel
Christie’s roundel
Lot 19

Captain James Cook (1728-1779)

The Royal Society's medal in commemoration of Captain Cook

Closed27 September 2007

Price Realised

GBP 2,500

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Captain James Cook (1728-1779)
The Royal Society's medal in commemoration of Captain Cook
the obverse with bust portrait of Cook inscribed 'IAC. COOK OCEANI INVESTIGATOR ACERRIMUS' around the circumference and 'REG. SOC. LOND. SOCIO SVO' below the bust, the reverse with a standing portrait of Britannia, inscribed 'NIL INTENTANTUM NOSTRI LIQUERE' around the circumference and 'AUSFICIIS GEORGII III' below the figure
bronze
15 1/8in. (4.2cm.) diameter

Specialist note

Following the initiative of Sir Joseph Banks, the medal 'was struck in commemoration of Captain Cook by his fellow members of the Royal Society. A voluntary subscription was opened, and to such fellows as contributed 20 guineas a gold medal was appropriated. Silver medals were assigned to those who contributed a smaller sum, and to each of the other members one in bronze was given. There were 20 of the gold medals, a number being presented to distinguished personages' (Beddie, 2795, pp. 502-3). The present lot is one of the 577 bronze specimens struck.