The Resolution & Adventure Medal can be traced directly back to Captain James Cook’s Second Voyage to New Zealand. They are named after the HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure, the two vessels that took part in the voyage.

Cook distributed them during early encounters with Māori communities. These items are among the earliest surviving European items to circulate in New Zealand and may have been used as an early form of trade currency.

Captain Cook’s Second Voyage. New Zealand. 1772–1773 Resolution & Adventure Medal

Obverse: GEORGE . III . KING . OF . GR . BRITAIN . FRANCE . AND . IRELAND ETC — laureate bust of George III facing right.

Reverse: RESOLVTION ADVENTVRE. — stern views of HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure, with SAILED FROM ENGLAND MARCH MDCCLXXII in exergue.

Variate: Late Die State Type I 

Condition Notes: Suspension loop removed, evidence of a former insert remains on the rim, minor resulting indentation near the “A” of “ADVENTVRE”, consistent with historic use as a pendant.

XRF Metallurgical Analysis:

• Copper (Cu): 50.34%
• Zinc (Zn): 48.48%
• Lead (Pb): 0.50%
• Iron (Fe): 0.36%
• Molybdenum (Mo): 0.14%
• Nickel (Ni): 0.12%

Only 12 have been discovered thus far in New Zealand, with Aventine Coins & Bullion being the first numismatic institution to assess and record one unearthed in Wellington in 2026, which is reportedly the first one to have been found in the North Island.

Now returned to New Zealand in our archives, Aventine welcomes expressions of interest from museums, cultural organisations, and academic institutions for the loan of the object for public display or research. 

Enquiries: Client@Aventine.co.nz