Owner Comments:
This entry marks a somewhat awkward time, as I have far superior examples of this medal struck in copper and white metal. Unfortunately, both are raw and therefore cannot be included in this set. Nonetheless, this piece deserved to be added. In his book, Sim Comfort (2017) distinguishes between two categories of the original strikes of this medal. On the one hand, we have the fleet medals to consider. This refers to the medals that were presented to the actual sailors who survived the skirmish. The excerpt below details how these medals were distributed differently between the ranks. On the other hand, presentation medals were distributed to notable figures who were not directly involved in the battle (e.g., the King). The current medal is an example of what Sim would classify as a fleet medal (i.e., it would have been given to a sailor). The bulk of these medals were struck in white metal and issued to the non-officers. It is rumored that the sailors hurled the medal into the harbor after discovering that the medal awarded to them was struck in white metal instead of silver. It appears there may be some truth to this rumor, as the bulk of the white metal pieces are often in terrible condition. However, the nature of white metal is confounding to this assumption as it is very susceptible to environmental degradation. Nonetheless, it can be slightly challenging to find a well-preserved example of this medal struck in white metal.
This medal is highly reflective, which makes it make it even more difficult to image through the NGC holder. The images above do this medal no justice.
Historical Context: I have opted to forgo any discussion of the actual medal here in hopes of presenting that information in the write-up for the bronzed copper example (a presentation piece). The entry for that medal will appear immediately before this entry once it is ready. Instead, I plan to share excerpts from contemporary newspapers detailing the sentiment of the British victory, the loss of Lord Nelson, and the bout of confusion (likely intentional on behalf of the French) that followed the conflict's conclusion. Brief details of Boulton’s medal can be found in both reports, but more information can be found in the former.
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Saint James's Chronicle
Saturday 21 December 1805
Queen Anne had one of her Coins (the half-crown, if we remember right) struck with the letter V. In honor of the taking of Vigo. Why should not Government give orders for some of our current coins to be stamped with an N. or a T. (Trafalgar) in honor of the late glorious victory? This, if stamped upon coins of the smallest denominations, would serve to perpetuate the memory of Nelson more effectually than any other method, and would be attended with no extraordinary expence.
Mr. Boulton, the scientific and venerable proprietor of Soho, whose public exertions have so uniformly been distinguished by a patriotism the best directed, has solicited the permission of Government, that he may be allowed to strike a Medal, at his own expence, in commemoration of the brilliant Victory off Cape Trafalgar, and to present one to every seamen who served that day on board the British Fleet. The permission was immediately granted, with the warmest approbation of so laudable a design. The dye is nearly completed, and in a few weeks the Medals we'll be sent down to the several ports, to be distributed among the sailors by his Majesty's Commissioners.
The Victory, with the body of Lord Nelson, has come round to Sheerness. The body is appointed to be brought up the river in the Victory’s barge; all the ships of war, as it passes, to fire minute guns, and to have their colors half masked high. The time during which it is to lie in state in the Painted Hall of Greenwich Hospital is not yet fixed.
Early yesterday morning the coffin made out of the main mast of the French ship, L’Orient, was removed from Mr. Peddieson’s, in Brewer-street, Should be conveyed to Chatham, from whence it will be sent to the Nore, to receive the remains of Lord Nelson, which will be soldered up in that coffin on board the Victory, and then be removed by her barge to Greenwich Hospital.
A number of additional ornaments are ordered for Lord Nelson's coffin. Trophies of war, and the most elegant and appropriate devices are to be engraved upon them.
Near 100 carpenters are now daily employed in erecting stages, galleries, &c. in the interior of St. Pauls’s, preparatory to the funeral of the lamented Nelson. On Wednesday last, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland visited St. Paul’s, And spent some time in inspecting these preparations.
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Aberdeen Press and Journal
Wednesday 01 January 1806
THE LATE LORD NELSON.
At eleven o’clock on Monday morning, the Commissioner’s yacht, with the remains of the lamented Lord Nelson on board, passed Gravesend. Minute guns were fired as she passed. – About two o’clock, she reached Erith. The body was to be landed, by torchlight, and deposited in the Recorder’s Chamber, and Greenwich Hospital, until the time fixed for its lying in state.
The body is placed in the coffin made of the wreck of the L’Orient, which is put into one made of Elm, then into a leaden one, and soldered up, and the whole placed in another large coffin of Elm. The coffin was enveloped in the colours of the Victory. As soon as it was landed, it was carried by sailors, part of the valiant crew of the Victory, to the Painted Hall, from whence, we understand, it was to have been removed, in the course of the evening to the Record Chamber, in the Hospital, and where it is to continue until the preparations for its lying in state shall be completed.
An Official Letter has been written to Sir Isaac Heard, by command of the Prince of Wales, informing him, as Garter Principal King at Arms, that is the intention of His Royal Highness to walk in the procession, at the funeral of Lord Nelson, or to attend it conformably to any other regulation that may be adopted by his Majesty's Ministers on that melancholy occasion.
It is finally determined on, that the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Peter Parker, Bart. shall officiate as Chief Mourner at the funeral of Lord Nelson. Besides the several Admirals who are to follow the corpse, all the Captains who have arrived in England, and had commands on the glorious 21st Have October, with various others, and a great concourse of Lieutenants, will attend. The body will be conveyed from Greenwich hospital to Whitehall, in the twelve-oared barge belonging to the Admiralty, which has been covered with black cloth for the solemn occasion.
At the Funeral of Lord Nelson the whole of the morning service will take place prior to the burial service. The table that now extends from the top of the Dome in St. Paul's, is intended to hang all the colours of the different powers taken by the gallant Lord. At the top will be displayed the English flag of the Victory, which on a signal being given, will be lowered into the grave with the remains of the ever to be lamented noble tar.
Mr. Boulton, Of Birmingham, has, with the permission of Government, struck a medal at his own expence in commemoration of Lord Nelson's last victory, one of which he presents to every seaman who served that day in the fleet.
A noble instance of affection an honest feeling, and tribute which would exalt the character of the late Lord Nelson beyond what common acknowledgement could do, was lately evidenced on board the Brilliant frigate. During her last cruise she fell in with several vessels which acquainted her with the defeat of the combined fleet, but one in particular made known the death of Lord Nelson. A concern the most general and sincere pervaded the ship's company. While it was yet a subject of conversation, a boatswain’s mate, who was then doing boatswain’s duty, was ordered to pipe all bands to quarters; he did not do it readily, and Lieutenant upon duty went to inquire the cause, with orders to pipe instantly. The honest fellow, after several attempts began to sob bitterly, and said, “Damme me, if I can do it; Poor dear fellow, that I have been in many a hard day with, and to lose him now. I wouldn't have cared had it been my old father, mother, brothers or sisters if there were fifty of them, but can't think of parting with poor Nelson,” - and he went below immediately. His honest sensibility did not escape the notice of Captain Berry, who, with the feelings of a gallant officer, paid the deference to his affection for his Commanders, and requited him of several considerations of his regard.
SHIP NEWS
The Madrid Gazette of the 16th ult. Contains the following modest account of the loss sustained by the British fleet and the battle of Trafalgar: -
Britannia, 110 guns; Royal Sovereign, 100; Prince of Wales, 98; Neptune, 98 sunk. – Donegal, 80, castaway on the coast of Africa. – Tigre, 80, sunk off St Mary. Defence, 74, burnt by the English after the battle, While sinking. – Minotaur, 74, run ashore near Gibraltar. Collossus, 74, castaway near St Lucar, and burnt by the English, to prevent her falling into the hands of the Spaniards!
General Junot carried to Bonaparte the news of the destruction of his fleet off Trafalgar. - the news was whispered abroad, and two officers who had been the channel of its circulation were immediately thrown into irons.
Lieut. Garraty saw a printed Bulletin, which was circulated in France soon after the glorious battle of Trafalgar; in which it was stated, that the English were defeated, and had lost 14 ships! Nor did Lieutenant Garraty know the contrary till he landed at Falmouth.
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Obverse: The obverse depicts Lord Nelson facing left. His hair is largely unkept but is pulled together in a single strand behind his back with a ribbon tied into a bow with two loops and one loose end. He is wearing a traditional British Naval uniform befitting his rank with a high collar. His left shoulder protrudes out toward the viewer. It is mostly covered by an intricately detailed epaulet with corded edges. Two stars appear on the upper board, which are affixed by a button. A large star-shaped medal appears on his left breast. Excluding a bundle of cloth protruding from under his shirt, the viewer is only able to see Lord Nelson’s outer coat. The outer collar of this coat comes to a sharp angle with what I assume is adorned by gold bullion. The two upper buttonholes are traced towards the center of his chest by the same material. The engraver took care to engrave an accurate deception of the contemporary naval button. A ribbon appears to flow out from the collar of his outer coat with a Naval Gold Medal attached. Another medal, which I am unsure of, appears immediately below the bust. The engraver's initials
C H K are contained within the truncation. The legend
HORATIO VISCOUNT NELSON. K • B • DUKE OF BRONTE. & appear above the bust wrapped closely around the inner rim.
Reverse: The reverse depicts an epic naval battle scene. A line of ships can be seen traveling from the left side of the medal, while another double-row line of ships appears from the right. These two lines seem to converge, but most of the detail is obscured by a large cloud of smoke. Another line of ships can be seen, also coming from the left, in the distance. A few masts are discernable among the smoke. The battle scene is sharply cut by an exergue line. The letter
K appears at the farthest left point of this line. Below, appears the legend
”TRAFALGAR OCTr. 21. 1805.”. A ribbon with curled ends appears immediately above the battle scene, which contains the legend
”ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY”. This entire design is contained within a think inner ring which is superseded by a slightly wider outer rim.
Edge: TO THE HEROES OF TRAFALGAR FROM M: BOULTON:
Size: 48mm
Notes: The bulk of the medals in this collection are either at or very near the top of the conditional spectrum. This medal is a notable exception, but it nonetheless is a relatively nice example. It was a general practice for these medals, as well as the other naval medals struck by Boulton, to be housed in lunettes. I wonder if this might account for the survival of this example. This medal is cataloged as BHM-458 (Brown, 1980) and Eimer-960 (Eimer, 2010).
References:
Brown, L. A. (1980). A Catalogue of British Historical Medals: Vol. I The Accession of George III to the Death of William IV 1760-1837. London: Seaby Publications Ltd.
Comfort, S. (2017). Matthew Boulton’s Naval Medals. London: Sim Comfort Associates.
Eimer, C. (2010). British Commemorative Medals and Their Values. London: Spink & Son Ltd.