My favourite campaign medal

The Naval General Service Medal has to be my favourite campaign medal not only for it’s beautiful design but also for the diversity of naval battles and boat actions that it was awarded for.

William Wyon the designer, chief engraver at the Royal Mint from 1828 until his death in 1851, was an absolute master of his craft. Influenced by the famous Regency sculptor John Flaxman he worked in a Neo Classical style and produced coin designs for George IV, William IV and Victoria. In fact his bust profile used on Victorian coinage was incorporated on the first postage stamp the famous Penny Black and continued to be used on Victorian stamps for most of her reign.

The medal itself is rather unusual in that it was only instituted in 1847 long after most of the naval engagements it was awarded for, which predominantly were the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars between the dates of 1793-1815. The kicker to this is that to claim the medal the recipient had to be still alive in 1847, which given the life expectancy of men in the early 19th century meant that only 20,933 medals were awarded, with very few claimants of the clasps for the very earliest engagements. So for example only one recipient claimed the clasps for Hussar, Dido, Espoir, Viper, Loire, Louisa, Carrier, Superieure and Growler. In several cases no claimants came forward at all. In total there were 230 different clasps which provides an extraordinary range of interest for collectors.

The medal in the photograph has been handed down through the family since it was awarded and I am arranging the sale on their behalf.

The recipient started his naval career as an able seaman on HMS Kent in the Egyptian Campaign of 1801 and then served on HMS Amphion in the Adriatic Campaigns where he was captain of the forecastle and then later on the quartermaster of the same vessel. This ship was captained by Captain Sir William Hoste, 1st Baronet KCB, one of the great naval Captains of the Napoleonic Wars and a protégé of  Lord Nelson.

The value of this medal is enhanced by the recipients association with his famous Captain but also by the fact that he went on two boat raiding parties as signified by the two “Boat Services” clasps. In fact only 15 clasps were issued for the 28 August 1809 action which adds significantly to the rarity of this medal. The medal will come up for auction in March 2024 with guide price of £8000 – £10,000.

Further to this auction I am delighted to report that the medal sold for £10,000 plus buyer’s premium.

If you have a single medal or a collection please don’t hesitate to contact us for independent, professional advice.

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