Hardy-97.
62mm. White metal. By E. Avern.
Obverse with uniformed bust of Nelson and legend around, reverse with view of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
Pierced for suspension as usual, Nearly Very Fine and rare.
On Wednesday, 2 April 1845, in a ceremony in the Painted Hall, this medal was presented to the In-Pensioners of Greenwich Hospital. Over 340 medals were distributed to the veterans, each of whom had served under the command of Admiral Nelson. Hardy notes, "It is now recognized that this medal, treated as unimportant in the past, is a true and worthy piece of history, each having been owned personally by one of Nelson's sailors." Another source states that the breakdown of awarded medals was as follows: 39 to those who had served at Cape St Vincent, 35 at the Nile, 45 at Copenhagen and 238 at Trafalgar, meaning 357 medals awarded in total.
A similar example of this medal realised a hammer price of $1,300 in CNG auction dated 11/03/2020, lot 605.