Back

Great Britain - 1812

Victories of the Peninsular War - (white metal) - 2nd

Obverse:

Bare head of the Duke of Wellington, left.

Legend:

ARTHUR MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON.

Size:

36.1 mm.

Reverse:

Inscription within wreath PORTUGAL / DELIVERED / SPAIN / RELIEVED / MDCCCXII

Vern's Comments:

Bramsen's example appears to be nearly 3 mm smaller than this or the others cited.

WELLINGTON:

18 The Marquis of Wellington, Victories
Obverse:bust left. ARTHUR MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON.
Reverse: five-line inscription PORTUGAL DELIVERED SPAIN RELIEVED MDCCCXII within a closed and tied wreath.
36 mm. unsigned. Silver, very rare (PC); Copper, common: Copper, cast, scarce: White metal, common.
Literature: Bramsen 1172; Brown 740; Lamas 97.

The portrait, which is based on No. 10, also occurs on Nos. 19, 163 and 164. The catalogue of the Meili collection describes an example in silver (Lot 1003).

Bramsen:

1172. Campagnes de Wellington sur la Péninsule.
ARTHUR MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON. Buste, à gauche.
Rev: Dans une couronne de laurier: PORTUGAL DELIVERED SPAIN RELIEVED MDCCCXII.
Médaille, 33 mm. - Inédite ; cabinet de l'auteur.

d'Essling:

1385 - Avers précédent.
R. Dans une couronne de laurier: PORTUGAL DELIVRED SPAIN RELIEVED MDCCCXII.
Br. 36mm.

BHM:

N^o. 740
AE 36 by ?

AE N.
AM; BM; NMI.

In 1807 a joint Franco-Spanish ultimatum had been delivered to the Portuguese demanding that they close their ports to Britain and declare war against her. On the 30th November General Junot at the head of a French army entered Lisbon and French and Spanish troops occupied key fortresses. By March 1808 the French had taken over the government of Spain. In May, a delegation from Spain asked for British help and were supplied with arms and money. It was on the 20th July that Wellesley landed at Corunna.
The war lasted from 1808 until 1814 and was really only one phase in the wars with France that had lasted from 1793 until 1815. In 1808 Sir Arthur Wellesley took command in Portugal and was created Viscount Wellington in 1809. He was successively created Earl, in 1812, Marquis 1812, and Duke in 1814. Wellington's avowed aim was 'the absolute evacuation of the Peninsular by the troops of France'.

Victories of the Peninsular War - (white metal) - 2nd