Candahar Ghuznee Cabul 1842, with ‘Victoria Regina’ obverse (James Stewart 41st Foot) later issue with officially impressed naming, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of medals to the 41st and 69th Regiments of Foot (The Welch Regiment) formed by the late colonel Dudley Thornton, CBE.

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These scarce varieties with the ‘Victoria Regina’ obverse are always later issues. Struck after the original supply of medals had run out, an operator at the Royal Mint obviously used an incorrect obverse die by mistake.

According to the musters James Stewart was a stonemason from Lanark who enlisted into the 41st Regiment on 12 September 1840. They also reveal that he deserted at Brecon on 8 June 1845. This would explain the need for a later replacement medal, his original probably having been forfeited. Sold with relevant copied musters.