Commemorative medallion portraits of Captains James Cook and James King

Depicts the Royal Society medals depicting Captains James Cook (1728 - 1779) and James King (1750 - 1784) with the reverse depicted below. This medal was commissioned by the Royal Society (which received news of his death in 1780), from the chief engraver of the Mint, Lewis Pingo (1743-1830), who finished it in 1784. The portrait of Cook in uniform was made from a painting, with the legend 'the most intrepid explorer of the seas'. The reverse celebrates Cook's journeys, with the image of Fortune holding a rudder over the globe and a motto meaning 'our men have left nothing unattempted'. King accompanied Cook's third voyage, appointed to the Resolution as second lieutenant. They co-authored 'A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean..' From 'The European Magazine'.