Captain Cook portrait medal, 1784

This medal, by the artist Lewis Pingo, was struck by the Royal Society as a memorial to the British explorer, Captain James Cook. It is one of a number of medals made in gold (13), silver (289) and bronze (500) which were sold to subscribers in 1784. Pingo was at the time the Chief Engraver at the Royal Mint, London.

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Obverse – The front of the medal shows a uniformed bust of Cook with the Latin legend IAC. COOK OCEANI INVESTIGATORI ACERRIMVS [James Cook most intrepid investigator of the seas]. Below the bust in smaller letters is the Latin legend REG. SOC.LOND. / SOCIO. SVO [The Royal Society London, to its Fellow]. Cook had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1775.		Reverse – The back of the medal depicts the Roman goddess Fortune leaning on a naval column and holding a rudder on a globe. Around her is the Latin legend NIL INTENTATVM NOSTRI LIQVERE [Our men have left nothing unattempted]. Below the figure is the Latin legend AUSPICIIS / GEORGII / III [Under the auspices of George III].

Transferred from National Gallery of Victoria, 1976