FRANCE, Royal. Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez, Vice-admiral. 1729-1788. Æ Medal (50mm, 50.56 g, 12h). The Capture of Trincomalee. By Dupré, for the Estates of Provence. Dated 1784 (in Roman numerals).

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Lot: 901. Estimated: $ 150

World Medals, Bronze

Sold For $ 170. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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FRANCE, Royal. Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez, Vice-admiral. 1729-1788. Æ Medal (50mm, 50.56 g, 12h). The Capture of Trincomalee. By Dupré, for the Estates of Provence. Dated 1784 (in Roman numerals). P AND DE SUFFREN ST TRIOEZ CHEV DES ORD · DU ROI GR CROIX DE LORD DE ST JEAN DE JERUS VICE ADMIRAL FE FRANCE, bust left, hair tied in ribbon / LE CAP PROTÉGÉ/ TRINQUEMALE PRIS/ GOUDELOUR DELIVRÉ/ L’INDE DÉFENDUE/ SIX COMBATS GLORIEUX/ LES ÉTATS DE PROVENCE/ ONT DÉCERNÉ/ CETTE MÉDAILLE/ MDCCLXXXIV within wreath; small coat-of-arms above. Brown surfaces, minor edge nicks. EF.

From the J. Eric Engstrom Collection.

Suffren was an aide to the French admiral d’Estaing during several engagements of the American War of Independence. He took part in the Battle of Rhode Island helping to sink five British frigates and was also present at the Siege of Savannah. Due to his exploits in the Americas, Suffren was appointed to be a vice commander for a squadron of fifteen ships being sent to the Indian Ocean to seize control of the area from the British in an effort to stretch British forces thin. With the death of the original commander, Suffren took control of the squadron and engaged in a series of five extremely hard fought battles against the British admiral Sir Edward Hughes. The end result was French control of the Indian Ocean till the end of American War of Independence and the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Suffren’s exploits in the Indian Ocean were widely admired and in the aftermath of the war he was promoted to vice-admiral and a number of medals were struck to celebrate his victories.

Closing Date and Time: 23 February 2022 at 15:00:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.