Posted 5 years ago
Rulandma
(26 items)
I have a Medal commemorating Ferdinand IV as King of the Two Sicilies. circa1799.
It looks to be made of bronze or copper. Not sure.
Any thoughts on worth or history of this medal would be appreciated.
Wow !!!!
“Bronze medal.(obverse) Cuirassed and draped bust of Ferdinand IV, hair in pigtail, right.
(reverse) A ship entering the bay of Naples, crowds on shore, Fame blowing trumpet holding a medallion with the portrait of Nelson above.”
There’s one in the British Museum :
https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=948734&partId=1&searchText=jerusalem+chronicle&page=1
“In 1797, he distinguished himself while in command of HMS Captain at the Battle of Cape St Vincent.
Shortly after the battle, Nelson took part in the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where his attack was defeated and he was badly wounded, losing his right arm, and was forced to return to England to recuperate. The following year, he won a decisive victory over the French at the Battle of the Nile and remained in the Mediterranean to support the Kingdom of Naples against a French invasion.” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Nelson,_1st_Viscount_Nelson)
The Curator at the British Museum comments (reference above):
Curator's commentsBrown 1980 states:
“Nelson arrived in Naples at the end of June, 1799, to prepare to receive Ferdinand as King of the Two Sicilies. On his return Ferdinand conferred the title of Duke of Bronte on Nelson as a reward for his services.This medal was restruck after the death of Küchler. The dies for this medal are in the possession of Messrs Pinches. Modern copper restrikes have been made from the rusty reverse die used in conjunction with a Nelson obverse that was rejected by Boulton (Milford Haven, Admiral the Marquis of. 'British Naval Medals', London, 1919, 494).
See illustration Brown 1 p117.479A.
See also J. G. Pollard, Matthew Boulton and Conrad Heinrich Küchler, 'Numismatic Chronicle', 1970, pp. 288-89, No. 18 and pp. 314-16.Bibliography: Forrer, L. 'Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, etc.', Vol. London, Reprinted 1980, III/239; Forrer, L. 'Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, etc.', Vol. London, Reprinted 1980, 489; Sandwich, The Rt. Hon. the Earl of. 'British and Foreign medals relating to naval and maritime affairs', 2nd ed., London, 1950, LL/22 & OO/3
So I suppose the issue is whether it is an original or a restrike ???
NELSON : DUKE OF BRONTE
Looking at the condition goes a long way toward deciding the original or restrike issue. Now, what year(s) were they re struck?
I found the same one that sold in 2013 as stated on the site:
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS. BRITISH MEDALS. Restoration of Ferdinand IV as King of the Two Sicilies, Lord Nelson as Duke of Bronte, Copper Medal, 1799, by C H Küchler, bust of Ferdinand IV, armoured and draped to right, rev figure of Fame flies over the Bay of Naples carrying a medal of Lord Nelson, inscribed HOR. NELSON DUCA BRONTI, 48mm (BHM 479; Pollard 18; Ricciardi 59; Eimer 908). Extremely fine.
Final price 600 GBP
WOW!!!
Thank you both for all the information. My Dad had it for years but he thought it was an American revolutionary medal because of the date. He never pursued it further. The picture is a stock one I found but mine is more worn but still in great shape. Will definitely check into this now and will post what I find.
Thanks again :-)