Award - Victoria National Testimonial Medal
1844 year| Pewter | - | 60 mm |
| Location | United Kingdom (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| Queen | Victoria (1837-1901) |
| Type | Award medals › Military awards |
| Year | 1844 |
| Composition | Pewter |
| Diameter | 60 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Updated | 2024-11-14 |
| Numista | N#412875 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
View of the column in Trafalgar Square
Script: Latin
Lettering:
TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE NELSON TESTIMONIAL TRAFALGAR SQUE
21 OCTOBER 1844
Engraver: Edward Avern
Comment
Noonans: The ‘Gentlemen of the Parish of St. Martins’ had raised a subscription for the purpose of giving a dinner to veteran sailors on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of Nelson’s Column. Unsuccessful in this regard, the fund was instead used to strike a commemorative medal to be awarded to the veterans together with a gratuity of 10 shillings. The medal was duly struck and presented on 2 April 1845 to eligible In-pensioners of Greenwich Hospital, being awarded to 39 veterans who had served at Cape St. Vincent, 35 from the Nile, 45 from Copenhagen and 238 who had fought at Trafalgar - total of 357 awards. Milford Haven states that the medals were struck for presentation to the Royal Marine guard-of-honour who were present at the ceremonial opening of the monument but this is unsubstantiated.
