Description
GREAT BRITAIN Admiral Lord Nelson (1758-1805), The Nelsonic Crimson Oakes Society, silver medal, unsigned 53.7mm silver medal 48.46 grams polished, holed for suspension and some edge bumps, about Very Fine and rare (BHM 640)
Obverse: uniformed bust of Nelson left, GALLANT NELSON DIED OCTR. 21 OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR,
Reverse: pseudo-masonic symbols with eye, sun and moon, cross and fouled anchor, and ark and rainbow, NELSONIC CRIMSON OAKES - COMMENCED JANY 19 1808
Horatio Nelson does not appear to have been a Freemason but belonged to the Ancient Society of Gregorians, whose members called themselves brothers and wore Masonic-style insignia. In addition, the Nelsonic Crimson Oakes Society seems to have been a seafarers' relief association which also incorporates Masonic symbols, hence the confusion.
A friendly society (sometimes called a benefit society, mutual aid society, benevolent society, fraternal organization or ROSCA) is a mutual association for the purposes of insurance, pensions, savings or cooperative banking. It is a mutual organization or benefit society composed of a body of people who join together for a common financial or social purpose. Before modern insurance and the welfare state, friendly societies provided financial and social services to individuals, often according to their religious, political, or trade affiliations. These societies are still widespread in many parts of the developing world, where they are referred to as ROSCAs (rotating savings and credit associations)
