Comitia Americana Medals
John Paul Jones, Bonhomme Richard and Serapis, 1779
Captain John Paul Jones commanded the USS Bonhomme Richard in battle with the British frigate HMS Serapis off Farmborough Head (northern England) in 1779. Though his ship, a refurbished French merchant ship, was less equipped for battle, he attacked the British merchant convoy under the protection of the Serapis and ultimately forced the British to surrender. The battle demonstrated growing American naval prowess and this medal honors Jones’ valor and victory.
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On the obverse, Jones is depicted in uniform, modeled after Houdon’s bust. The battle between the two ships is intricately detailed on the reverse. The Bonhomme Richard, with holes in its sails and billowing smoke, is in the foreground mostly obscuring the Serapis from view. Augustin Dupre engraved this medal.