CARIB WAR MEDAL 1773, silver, unnamed, as issued. Cast and chased, as usual, fitted with

CARIB WAR MEDAL 1773, silver, unnamed, as issued. Cast and chased, as usual, fitted with a small silver ring for suspension, 55mm diameter, excluding ring suspender, weight 59.6g. Very Fine and with a length of dark red (burgundy) ribbon.

Another, similar example of this medal, was sold by Noonan’s (Dix Noonan Webb) on 14/2/2024 (lot 500). That example sold for £1,500 (£1932 approx including auctioneer’s fees).

This rare medal was issued by the Legislative Assembly of the island of Saint Vincent in the Carribean to members of the island’s militia and local volunteeers who took part in the campaign against the local native population, after the Caribs had been encouraged to rebel against the British settlers by French settlers on the island. Fighting broke out initially in 1769, when the Carib population, led by Chief Joseph Chatoyer defended the windward side of the island against a British military survey expedition in 1769. Intermittent fighting erupted into a full-blown military campaign in 1772, which the Caribs also successfully resisted. The fighting prompted an enquiry in London which resulted in orders being issued for the ending of the campaign. A peace agreement was signed in 1773, partitioning the island, with the Caribs retaining the windward side of the island and the British settlers the leeward side.