Havana City, a heavily fortified city,  was captured by English forces in 1762. Havana had been considered inexpuganable up until 1762 and it took close to 14,000 British troops to conquer Havana. El Morro Castle, one of the three main forts, held out for 44 days. Its defense was led by Luis Vicente de Velasco y Fernandez de Isla (1711-1762), a gifted man with plenty of previous military experience. At his side, Vicente Gonzalez y Bassecourt helped resist the enemy attack leading three companies of troops. Both brave men were killed during the defense of El Morro Castle.

To honor their courage and bravery, a nice medal was struck that bears the bust of both men on the obverse and an engraving of El Morro Castle during the English invasion on the reverse.

Obverse legend: LVDOVICO DE VELASCO ET VINCENTIO GONZALEZ. Signed by PRIETO.

Reverse legend: IN MORRO VIT GLOR FVNCT /ARTIVM ACADEMIA CAROLO REGE CATHOL ANNVENTE CONS. A. MDCCLXIII. (To the Memory of those who died gloriously at Morro Castle / The Academy of Arts dedicates this medal with the consent of the Catholic King Charles III, in the year 1763)

A nice example of this medal sold for $1,281 on eBay on February 18, 2008 after 27 bids by 15 different bidders. Another piece, not nearly as nice, is currently on sale  for $2,500, Buy-Now (as of February 18, 2008).

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