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Auction: 22106 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 18 - British and World Coins, Medals and Tokens - e-Auction
Lot: 1904

The Bernard Pearl Collection of Historical Medals | France, Louis XIV (1643-1715), "Victory of Velez-Malaga", AR Tribute Medal, 1704, by Puymaurin and Gayrard, LOUIS ALEXANDRE DE BOURBON COMTE DE TOULOUSE AMIRAL DE FRANCE, bust right, rev. BRITANNIS BATAVIS QUE DEVICTIS, Victory of a boat, insribing a plaque which reads VELE[Z] MALAGA, XXIV AQUST MDCCIV in exergue, 185.54g, 69mm, some light contact marks to fields, die flaw to reverse edge at 8 o'clock, otherwise pleasingly lustrous and lightly toned, extremely fine and very rare

Sir George Rooke and Sir Cloudesley Shovel, captured Gibraltar on the 24th July 1704. Shortly afterwards Rooke having crossed over to the coast of Barbary to procure water, observed the French fleet under the Comte de Toulouse sailing towards Toulon. He immediately followed it and after several days pursuit brought it to action off Malaga. A severe fight ensued with heavy loss on both sides. Night put an end to the engagement and the wind shifting the French steered off. Rooke followed and for some days endeavoured in vain to induce them to renew the action. The two fleets were nearly equal in the number of ships but the French were greatly superior in size, number of men and weight of metal. This medal is the French memorial and is not strictly in accordance with historic facts. The French claimed a victory and sang a te deum but during the remainder of the war they did not venture upon another naval action.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£250