 The American Treasure Captured at Vigo, 1702. B.94, Med. Ill. 17, Van L. IV, 360. Obverse signed G.F.N. (George Friedrich Nurnberger) and G.H. (George Hautsch), reverse signed MB in ligature (Martin Brunner, also of Nuremberg). Silver. 47.0 mm. 573.3 gns. Obverse: Neptune at left in his oceanic chariot receives from Victory a scroll on which is inscribed the names of the Spanish vessels taken, burned, or sunk during the engagement. Below are three mermen (Nereids per Betts) bearing shields emblazoned with the arms of Great Britain, Holland, and the Emperor. Reverse: The Spanish treasure fleet drawn up at the head of Vigo Bay, its approaches protected by a double chain and flanking forts, the allied fleet drawn up in line of battle at the mouth of the bay. About Uncirculated. Nicely toned in rich silver gray.
Ex Glendining's sale of March 16, 1989, lot 414.
Vigo was one of Spain's only significant ports on the Atlantic Ocean and was the massively fortified terminus for the Treasure Fleets. It was attacked by Sir Francis Drake in 1585 and 1589, but the successful British-Dutch raid of 1702 was catastrophically costly to Spain. Bullion seized provided Queen Anne's 1703 coinage of Gold and Silver inscribed VIGO below the bust.
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