France, Vice-Admiral Pierre André de Suffren, by Augustin Dupré, Bronze Medal, 67.25g, 1784, Obv: Bust of Admiral Suffren in tie-back wig, left. Signed: “DUPRE.F.” below truncation, legend around, Rev: Within a laurel wreath tied at the bottom, small coat of arms at the top, across, legend in center. Extremely fine, rare. The bronze medal illustrated is a 19th century restrike. Admiral Comte Pierre André de Suffren de Saint Tropez (1729- 1788), was a French naval office best known for his campaign in the Indian Ocean in which France and Britain contended for supremacy. In 1780, during the American War of Independence, the Dutch allied themselves with France and entered into the war against Britain. Dutch possessions became legitimate British targets and the naval commander, George Johnstone, was ordered to lead an expedition to capture the Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. De Suffren learned of this and surprised the British fleet at anchor in Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands, on 16 April 1781. The battle was indecisive but de Suffren was able to gain the advantage and his ships reached the Cape on 21 June. Thus reinforced the Cape was defended against Johnstone when his ships arrived in July.