Stock No. 3290	Nelson's Battle of the Nile medal, cased. Gilt on copper
Beautifully executed gilt on copper medal of Nelson's Battle of the Nile, 1798, in case. By C H Kuchler for Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint. Rare. Obverse: Peace, standing on a rocky shore with anchor behind, holding an olive branch in her extended right hand and supporting with her left arm an oval medallion with the bust of Lord Nelson and the inscription EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY. Legend above: REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE. Reverse: The British fleet going into action against the French fleet. Beneath, on left, M. B. SOHO and on right C. H. KUCHLER. FEC. Legend above: ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS. In exergue: VICTORY OF THE NILE/ AUGUST 1. 1798. Engraved on the edge is the incuse legend: FROM ALEXR. DAVISON ESQR. ST. JAMES'S SQUARE = A TRIBUTE OF REGARD. Maker :- C H Kuchler

Condition :-Extremely Fine. A very small dig in the field of the obverse and a light scratch in the field of the reverse but both are negligible and the original gilding is in excellent condition and has not been harmed
Circa :- 1798
Size :- 48 mm (1.9 inches) diameter
On August 1, 1798 one of Nelson's scouting vessels discovered the French fleet anchored in shallow water in Aboukir Bay, east of Alexandria. In spite of dangerous shoals, Nelson, on board "The Vanguard" divided his fleet into two lines and ordered them to sail down either side of the French. The French Admiral Brueys had not expected an attack from the landward side and so no gun ports had been cleared on that side, compounding the great devastation of the French fleet. The battle lasted all night and of the thirteen French ships of the line and four frigates anchored in the bay, only four ships escaped. Through this important victory, Britain obtained complete domination of the Mediterranean and cut Bonaparte off from France. Nelson was created Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe. The words of the legend on the reverse of the medal are the opening words of Nelson's despatch to King George III informing him of the victory. Alexander Davison was appointed by Nelson as sole prize agent for the captured ships and he had these medals struck from his profits. Nelson and his Captains received specimens in gold; Lieutenants and Warrant Officers received the medal in silver; Petty Officers received the medal in gilt copper, such as this example and seamen and marines in copper. The total cost of all the medals issued was œ2,000.

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