Date
Instituted: 1847.
Campaign: French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars 1793-1814.
Description: The obverse of this medal bears the head of Queen Victoria
with the inscription 'VICTORIA REGINA' while the reverse depicts
the Queen placing the victor's laurels on the head of the Duke of
Wellington with the inscription 'TO THE BRITISH ARMY' and the dates
'1793-1814'. The swivelling suspender is plain and straight.
Metal: Silver.
Size: 36mm.
Clasps: 'EGYPT', 'MAIDA', 'ROLEIA', 'VIMIERA', 'SAHAGUN', 'BENEVENTE',
'SAHAGUN AND BENEVENTE', 'CORUNNA', 'MARTINQUE', 'TALAVERA', 'GUADALOUPE',
'BUSACO', 'BARROSA', 'FUENTES D'ONOR', 'ALBUHERA', 'JAVA', 'CIUDAD
RODRIGO', 'BADAJOZ', 'SALAMANCA', 'FORT DETROIT', 'CHATEAUGUAY', 'CHRYSTLER'S FARM', 'VITTORIA', 'PYRENEES', 'ST SEBASTIAN', 'NIVELLE', 'NIVE', 'ORTHES' and 'TOULOUSE'.
| Ribbon: |
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Naming: Impressed
Roman captial letters.
Comments: Instituted in 1847 for the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars fought between 1793 and
1814. Veterans had to claim their medals years after the end of the Napoleonic Wars at a time when many had
since died. Some 26,000 medals were issued with 84,000 clasps but
many have sadly been destroyed or lost making this medal somewhat
rare and sought after.
Due to the fact many of these medals were issued with multiple clasps the collector will encounter the more common clasp combinations manufactured as a single piece. Prices for this medal can also vary considerably depending on the combination of the clasps.
While this medal was mainly issued to surviving army veterans a small number also went to officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines which command a premium at auction. The medal was however confined to land actions up to 1814 whereas its counterpart, the Naval General Service Medal, covered actions up to 1840.
Examples named to the 52nd, 88th or 95th Foot Regiments have become very popular with collectors and command high prices. Since the price of these medals are now so high the collector ought to confirm the recipient and multiple clasp combinations to a medal roll before purchase to ensure all is in order.
See also: Naval General Service Medal |
