Description
GREAT BRITAIN 1811 Battle of Albuera, 41mm gilt copper medal 39.05 grams, from 1820 by N.G.A. Brenet and T. Webb for the Mudie National Series, (Mudie 18, BHM 718, Eimer 1017)
Obverse: bust facing right, MARSHALL GEN. LORD BERESFORD
Reverse: Polish lancer attacks a British infantryman. BATTLE OF ALBUERA XVI MAY MDCCCXI D.
James Mudie's series of forty "National Medals" was produced in 1820 and manufactured by Sir Edward Thomason in Birmingham, England. The medals celebrate British triumphs in the Napoleonic wars over the French spanning a 20 year period, from 1797 to 1817. They serve as a counter to the numerous, officially issued French medals glorifying the battles and events of Napoleon's reign. They are the same size, 41 millimeters as the official Napoleonic medals, and most of the dies were produced in France.
Nicolas-Guy-Antoine Brenet (c1770 - 1846) was a French medallist, and pupil of Girod and Gatteaux. From 1808 onward he was employed producing a large quantity of commemorative medals of French historical events that occurred under the Empire, the Restoration and the July Monarchy, and almost surprisingly by John Mudie for his “National Series”.
Thomas Webb (1797 - 1822) was an English coin and medal engraver. He is associated with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. Webb worked for the noted metal producer, Sir Edward Thomason who struck the Mudie series.
Obverse: bust facing right, MARSHALL GEN. LORD BERESFORD
Reverse: Polish lancer attacks a British infantryman. BATTLE OF ALBUERA XVI MAY MDCCCXI D.
James Mudie's series of forty "National Medals" was produced in 1820 and manufactured by Sir Edward Thomason in Birmingham, England. The medals celebrate British triumphs in the Napoleonic wars over the French spanning a 20 year period, from 1797 to 1817. They serve as a counter to the numerous, officially issued French medals glorifying the battles and events of Napoleon's reign. They are the same size, 41 millimeters as the official Napoleonic medals, and most of the dies were produced in France.
Nicolas-Guy-Antoine Brenet (c1770 - 1846) was a French medallist, and pupil of Girod and Gatteaux. From 1808 onward he was employed producing a large quantity of commemorative medals of French historical events that occurred under the Empire, the Restoration and the July Monarchy, and almost surprisingly by John Mudie for his “National Series”.
Thomas Webb (1797 - 1822) was an English coin and medal engraver. He is associated with the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. Webb worked for the noted metal producer, Sir Edward Thomason who struck the Mudie series.
