To celebrate the 250th Anniversary of
the birth of Horatio Nelson the British Virgin Islands Government has
approved the release of this superb coin which replicates the Naval Gold
Medal awarded to Lord Nelson, for his successes including the Battle of
Cape St. Vincent, the Battle of the Nile, and posthumously the Battle
of Trafalgar. Only 22 of the privately produced medals were ever awarded
and Nelson received three of them.
Vice Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson (1758-1805) led an extraordinary life
both professionally and privately. Most famously known as the naval
strategist who helped win the Battle of Trafalgar, the most decisive
naval battle in history, and his death in battle at the moment of
victory ensured his position as one of Britain's great heroes. In other
parts of the world, as well as throughout the UK, there are monuments,
buildings and landmarks named after him, from the towering majesty of
Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, London, to a pub in Knotty Ash,
Liverpool.
This splendid coin design depicts Britannia, holding a spear in her left
hand and shield below, standing on the prow of an antique gallery with
her right foot resting on a helmet. Britannia is being crowned with a
wreath of laurel by a winged goddess Victory. The coin is presented in a
stunning walnut finished wooden box with mosaic detail and ivory
interior which reflects the quality craftsmanship of Nelson’s time.
The obverse of this coin features an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley FRBS FSNAD. 28.28 g. , 38.5mm in diameter.
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