Waterloo miniatures

[dumdum]

Been meaning to post these for a while and a discussion with one of the Forum members reminded me of my promise.

These have been acquired here and there over the years but I'd not realised that there could be such a variety for one miniature! I suspect at least a couple may be Continental.

I do have a full size example as well and when this is added to the line-up you can really see the difference.

[Home Guard]

Very nice!!! I only have a repro of it, but have always thought it a great medal! Mine was given to me by a fellow who was a standard bearer n one of the re-enactments of the battle, and was presented ot him as a participant. So, maybe some history to it.

Terry

[dumdum]

Hi Terry

Glad you like the photo. When I was about 15, we went to France with my folks and I became crazy about Waterloo. A visit to Les Invalides on several occasions only made matters worse....

I read "Waterloo: A near run thing" and could almost quote whole paragraphs.

The interest hasn't gone away either!

[grenadierguardsman]

Very nice.
Andy

[JerryBB]

very nice.

they released a commemorative medallion for the 200th, they look good imo.

[dumdum]

Hi Jerry

A really nice strike with good detail. I think, I say think, I've seen one on eBay with the "suggestion" that it is an unnamed example.....

I may be way off here but can anyone confirm or deny this please?

[dumdum]

Sorry, Jerry but I meant to ask about the size of this piece. You say "medallion" so it would have been smaller than a f/s medal.

Out of my mins, my fave is the tiny little one (this possibly the Continental size) and the one with George and a goose neck!

Anyone else got other miniatures of this medal?

[JerryBB]

I believe it is the exact same size as the original medal

[dumdum]

Hi Jerry

OK, I think it's coming back to me now. It was described as a trial strike in copper.....

Hmmm...well, makes a change from iffy badges.

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by JerryBB

I believe it is the exact same size as the original medal

The Angel on the "waterloo" tablet was what was originally on the top of the Rifle Brigade crossbelt plate rather than a.crown.

[dumdum]

Thanks for that. I'd always wondered about the symbolism of that.

[Waterloo1815]

Thomas Wyon’s design for the reverse of the Waterloo Medal was the winged figure of Victory seated on a pedestal, holding a palm in her right hand and an olive branch in the other. Wyon’s design was modelled after an ancient Greek coin from Elis, Olympia. The coin was in the collection of Richard Paine Knight (1751-1824), and is now in the collection of the British Museum. These coins were issued for the 87th Olympiad (today’s Olympic Games) circa 437 BC.
Regards,
Leo

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by Mike H

The Angel on the "waterloo" tablet was what was originally on the top of the Rifle Brigade crossbelt plate rather than a.crown.

Thanks Mike.

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by Waterloo1815

Thomas Wyon’s design for the reverse of the Waterloo Medal was the winged figure of Victory seated on a pedestal, holding a palm in her right hand and an olive branch in the other. Wyon’s design was modelled after an ancient Greek coin from Elis, Olympia. The coin was in the collection of Richard Paine Knight (1751-1824), and is now in the collection of the British Museum. These coins were issued for the 87th Olympiad (today’s Olympic Games) circa 437 BC.
Regards,
Leo

very interesting, as an archaeologist.

[medals-n-more]

The Waterloo Medal is a lovely medal. It was the first occasion when the same medal was issued by the British government to be awarded to all who participated in a conflict irrespective of rank. The MGS and NGS medals for the Napoleonic era were created many years later.

For those who like the medal, here is a full size original. This one is particularly nice from a historic point of view since it was awarded to Frederick Muthert (his name is spelt various ways in the roll) who was one of the King's German Legion 2nd Light Battalion who defended La Haye Sainte. I am fortunate to have it in my collection. The battalion started the day 400 strong, by the end of the battle only 42 remained capable of carrying arms; the rest were dead or wounded.