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Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 121

(x) Settlement of the British at Bombay 1662, and the East India Company's Victory over a French Squadron 1804, obverse Neptune holding a Union Jack and cornucopia lying against a globe, surrounded by the legend 'Settlement of the British at Bombay' and 'MDCLXII' in exergue; reverse a seated and crowned Neptune bearing a trident and a figure of Victory, surrounded by the legend 'The French Fleet Repulsed By The E. I. Compys. XV. Feb. MDCCCIV.', BHM 567, Eimer 952, 40mm, copper, 1804, by Droz, Mills and Mudie, good very fine

This medal partially commemorates the Battle of Pulo Aura when, on 14 February 1804, the home-bound China Fleet of East India Company merchant vessels encountered a powerful squadron of French warships under the command of Rear-Admiral Comte de Linois. Instead of trying to escape, the merchantmen acted aggressively as if they were Royal Navy warships and succeeded in calling Linois's bluff; it was the French force which retreated who were being pursued by the East India Company ships - these latter ship making it back to Britain to great acclaim. The commander of the merchant vessels, Nathaniel Dance, was knighted by King George III and many of the officers in command of their own ships received swords or other gifts from Lloyd's Patriotic Fund.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£80 to £120

Starting price
£60