A particularly fine example of Alexander Davison’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805

Alexander Davison’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805, pewter with copper rim and integral suspension rings as issued, nearly extremely fine and rare thus £2,000-£3,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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It has long been stated that the Davison’s Trafalgar medal was given exclusively to the surviving crew of H.M.S. Victory, which would suggest a possible striking and issuance of some 600-700 medals. Such a high number is in stark contrast to the seemingly low survival rate for these medals which might indicate a lower number of medals having been struck.

Recent and ongoing research by Arthur Satterley and Sim Comfort has resulted in an article in press for future publication. Amongst other things they have sourced the letter of John Brown, preserved at The Caird Library, National Maritime Museum, London, written on board “Victory, Chatham, December 18th, 1805”. In it Brown writes:

“There is three hundred of us Pickt out to go to Lord Nelson Funral. We are to wear blue Jackets white Trowsers and a black scarf round our arms and hats besides gold medal (sic) for the battle of Trafalgar Valued £7 1s. round our necks. That I shall take care of until I take it home to Shew it to you.”

This might suggest that approximately 300 medals were struck and given to the 300 ‘Pickt’ men of H.M.S. Victory who took part in the funeral proceedings on 9th January 1806. It is also becoming increasingly apparent that the medal was both designed and struck by Thomas Halliday at his own expense, rather than Davison. Halliday, whose initials appear on the medal [H.F - Halliday Fecit], is recorded as being a quiet fellow who didn't trumpet, kept himself to himself, but nevertheless had a successful long term business in Birmingham from c.1803 into the 1830s.