Description
Matthew Boulton’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805, White Metal aka Pewter issue, original example with designers initials under bust, in good preserved condition with edge inscription.
Particularly good preserved condition for age looking quite stunning in person but difficult to photograph.
An original striking with the designer initials “C.H.K.” and edge inscription, most surviving example having been heavily corroded over the last 200 years.
Edge impressed: “FROM M: BOULTON TO THE HEROES OF TRAFALGAR”
Shortly after the Battle of Trafalgar, where Admiral Nelson was bravely killed, this medal was commissioned by Matthew Boulton of the Soho Mint in Birmingham.
Matthew Boulton was one of Nelson’s greatest admirers, and was dismayed by the Government not producing any medallic reward for the famous sea battle.
He took it on himself, at his own expense to produce a medal, “as presents from me to the Heroes of Trafalgar” as he said, about 14000-16000 examples were produced in this variety of White Metal to be given to all the Sailors who took part in the battle.
However as such medals were not yet commonplace in the country and the somewhat unimpressive metal composition of pewter or white metal led to many of the recipients quickly discarded them, one such story has a ship full of Trafalgar veterans throwing them overboard, the material is also prone to corrosion.
