Summary

Gilt bronze Nile Medal (Davidson's) issued to officers and seaman of Melson's fleet, Great Britain, 1798.

Mint: Soho Mint.

Lord Nelson employed an agent, Mr. Alexander Davison, to handle the captured booty from the Battle of the Nile, 1798. Davison later presented a medal to every officer and seaman of Nelson's fleet; gold to captains and lieutenants, silver to warrant officers, bronze gilt to petty officers, and bronze to seamen and mariners. The medals were struck at the Soho Mint and were designed and the dies engraved by C.H. Kuchler. Although the medals were issued unnamed and without provision of a ribbon mount (as this example), sometimes recipients added a mount and name.

Physical Description

A round gilt bronze medal. The obverse features Britannia (sometimes described as Pax) standing facing left on rocky outcrop over the sea, she holds aloft in her right hand an olive branch, her left arm draped over a large shield bearing the profile of Lord Nelson facing left in naval uniform; there is a large anchor behind Britannia; around on a ribbon, REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE.; around portrait on shield, EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY.; on base or rock, C.H.K. (artist's initials). The reverse depicts the naval battle with the sun setting on the horizon; around on ribbon, ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S SRMS.; in exergue, VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST I 1798. Engraved around the edge: A TRIBUTE OF REGARD FROM ALEXR DAVISON ESQ. ST JAMES'S SQUARE

Obverse Description

Britannia (sometimes described as Pax) standing facing left on rocky outcrop over the sea, she holds aloft in her right hand an olive branch, her left arm is draped over a large shield bearing the profile of Lord Nelson facing left in naval uniform; there is a large anchor behind Britannia; around on a ribbon, REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE.; around portrait on shield, EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY.; on base or rock, C.H.K. (artist's initials).

Reverse Description

The naval battle with the sun setting on the horizon; around on ribbon, ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S SRMS.; in exergue, VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST I 1798.

Edge Description

Engraved around the edge: A TRIBUTE OF REGARD FROM ALEXR DAVISON ESQ. ST JAMES'S SQUARE

Significance

The Battle of the Nile, known in France as the Battle of Aboukir Bay, was an important naval battle of the French Revolutionary Wars between a British fleet commanded by Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson and a French fleet under Vice-Admiral François-Paul Brueys D'Aigalliers. It took place on the evening and early morning of August 1 and 2 1798. French losses have been estimated to have been as high as 1,700 dead (including Brueys) and 3,000 captured. British losses were 218 dead.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Nile

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