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Kill'd by the Indians at O'Why'Hee February 14 1779 by Capt. James Cook

Creator: Captain James Cook
Offered by: Shapero Gallery

Description
[COOK, Capt. James].
Kill'd by the Indians at O'Why'Hee February 14 1779.
Stock Code 109675
London, [1780].
$33,804 USD

The kill'd by the indians medal. Struck soon after word of Capt. Cook's death reached England, the 'Kill'd by the Indians' medal was produced before the Resolution and Adventure returned to England in September 1780. This makes the medal one of the earliest artefacts associated with Cook's death, and one of the rarest. It has been graded R ('of the hightest rarity') by British Historical Medals, and only four other examples are known to numismatists, including one in the British Museum.

It is interesting to note the attempt at a transliteration of the native word for the Hawai'ian Islands, which quickly became Owhyhee, losing the apostrophes.

White metal medal (38.6mm); obverse uniformed bust of Cook three-quarter right, legend 'capt: james cook'; reverse inscription on four lines 'Kill'd by the Indians at O'Why'Hee February 14 1779', two oak branches in exergue; light hairlines, about uncirculated.

BHM 219.

More Information

Documentation:	Documented elsewhere (similar item)
Origin:	England
Period:	18th Century
Creation Date:	1780
Styles / Movements:	Traditional
Dealer Reference #:	109675
Incollect Reference #:	800464

Dimensions

Diam.	38.6 mm;

Message from Seller:

Shapero Gallery Located in the heart of Mayfair, London, Shapero Gallery specializes in prints and original works on paper, ranging from antique prints to modern pochoir plates and photography. For inquiries, contact us at +44.207.493.0876 or gallery@shapero.com.