28th (North Gloucestershire) Regiment, the most rare first pattern hand raised silver ‘back number’, c1805-30, of diamond outline with a finely raised narrow rim, the design shows the Sphinx on ‘Egypt’ plinth over ‘28’, two stout loop fasteners to reverse, one very small dent, otherwise in excellent condition £500-600

The famous ‘back number’ adopted soon after the battle of Alexandria was noted as being in use by 1805. At first it was issued in silver to all ranks but as the men persisted in selling these it was altered to brass for other ranks. It was the subject of a Horse Guards letter in 1830 assuring the Colonel of the regiment that there was no wish by the King to withdraw this distinction and its continued usage was officially confirmed a few years later.