One of our featured items for the month of March is a remarkable 1798 Great Britain - Davison's Nile Medal in gilt bronze. Designed by well-known German medallist Conrad Heinrich Küchler (c.1740-1810) who designed coinage and medals for Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint, this large historic medal (47 mm) is a very fine un-named gilt bronze example with only some minor marks and edge bumps.
In the 18th century, some medals were proposed, financed and produced by independent private initiatives. In this case, business man Alexander Davison (1750-1829) who was appointed as Admiral Lord Nelson's sole prize agent for the captured ships after the victory of the Battle of the Nile and produced the medals. They were struck and presented in gold to Nelson himself and his captains, in silver to Lieutenants and Warrant Officers, in gilt metal to Petty Officers, and to seamen and marines in copper. To promote his philanthopic gesture and his business, Davison had "FROM ALEXR DAVISON, ESQR. ST.JAMES' SQUARE A TRIBUTE OF REGARD" engraved around the rim of each medal.
Obverse: On a rock near the sea Peace is standing holding in her right an olive branch and supporting with her left hand a medallion of Nelson, an anchor behind her. Legend: "REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE". Inscription: "EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY". Below: "C.H.K." (C.H.Kuchler).
Reverse: View of the Aboukir Bay, the English Fleet going into action, the French at anchor. Legend: "ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS". Exergue: "VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST 1 1798". Above (L) "M.B.Soho" (R) "C.H.KUCHLER.FEC."
Edge: "FROM ALEXR DAVISON, ESQR. ST.JAMES' SQUARE A TRIBUTE OF REGARD."
