Captain James Cook (1728-1779)

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.