An antique General Eliott's silver medallion for the defense of Gibraltar. To one side is a bird's-eye view of the rock and bay of Gibraltar showing the position of ships and batteries with a ribbon 'Battering Ships Destroyed' and exergue: "September XIII MDCCLXXXII" (September 13th 1782). To the reverse: The British Lion holding a shield of Gibraltar lying on an inscribed block: "Blockade commenced June XXI MDCCLXXIX. Siege Terminated Feb.II.MDCCLXXXIII" With a large laurel wreath encircling a long inscription: "By a zealous exertion or patience, perseverance, and intrepidity, after contending with an unparalleled succession of dangers and difficulties in the defence of Gibraltar durong a blockade and siege of almost four years the garrison under the auspices of George III triumphed over the combined powers of France and Spain".
An unusual medal - very collectable, The same medal is currently part of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection.
CONDITION: All original and generally very good, signs of detail wear commensurate with age and use, all detail is still visible/legible. Please enlarge the pics to see the extent. Some distortion to overall shape.