Medal - Captain John Paul Jones Restrike

Reverse

The naval action in progress showing the crew of U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard boarding H.M.S. Serapis behind

Script: Latin

Lettering: HOSTIVM NAVIBVS CAPTIS AVT FVGATIS, AD ORAM SCOTIAE XXIII SEPT M DCCLXXVIIII

Engraver: Augustin Dupré

Edge

Smooth with Inscription

Comment

This is the only naval medal that was ever authorised by the US continental congress, and as such is extremely important historically.

 Engraved at the Paris Mint, made for the ‘Comitia Americana’ set of medals by Augustin Dupré. The original dies have been kept there since, and infrequently used to strike restrikes. It is possible that the original medal is not signed Dupre F on the obverse.

Read: Adams, John W. and Anne E. Bentley. COMITIA AMERICANA AND RELATED MEDALS - Reference, Adams-Bentley 8.

The edge varies depending on original or restrike. The original is likely a plain edge, whilst restrikes will often have ARGENT and a bee or cornocupia. The one pictured has extremely faint edge lettering of ARGENT and a Bee.

 On 23 September 1779 the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, under the command of Captain John Paul Jones, led a combined Franco-American fleet of 5 ships against a large Baltic merchant fleet being escorted by the British ships H.M.S. Serapis and the smaller Countess of Scarborough. The fighting took place off the Yorkshire coast near Flamborough Head and the coastal town of Bridlington, when the experienced French Captain Landais of the Alliance engaged and drew away the Countess of Scarborough, leaving Serapis to battle against the 4 remaining American and French ships.

Initially the Serapis inflicted considerable damage to the hull and rigging of the Bonhomme Richard and the American flag fell, prompting Captain Richard Pearson of the Serapis to ask Jones if he had intentionally struck his colour in surrender. Jones defiantly replied: “I have not yet begun to fight!” and after a further three hours of bitter exchange it was indeed the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough which were forced to surrender. The Americans boarded and transferred across to the Serapis following a close, hard-fought victory, with the critically-damaged Bonhomme Richard sinking on the following day.

The victory made John Paul Jones a national hero and this piece from the Comitia Americana design holds the distinction of being the only naval medal authorized by the Continental Congress.