Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 1

Battle of Minden 1759, 62mm x 42mm including suspension loop, silver-gilt, portrait of General Coote with COLONEL SIR EYRE COOTE . K.B. 1774 surrounding all within a laurel wreath, below THE VERY HONOVRABLE ORDER OF THE OLD DESERVING SOLDIER, to either side colours of the XXXVII Foot, with legend around the edge HOC PRAEF. PATRIAM SERVO HOC DVCE REGEM FIRMO., the exergue NECME VIS VLLA VOLENTEM AVERTET. The reverse with British Infantry Regiments and Royal Artillery lined up, to the left various Cavalry and Infantry soldiers to the right woodland and further Cavalry behind, legend above around the edge POTVIT QVAE PLVRIMAVIRTVS ESSE FVIT. AVG.1. 1759., the exergue EXIGVI NVMERO SED BELLO VIVIDA VIRTVS., light contact marks, good very fine

The Battle of Minden was fought on the 1 August 1759 during the Seven Years War, and resulted in victory for the Anglo-German force commanded by Field Marshal Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick against the French army. British Regiments present were the Royal Artillery, the 12th, 20th, 23rd, 25th, 37th, and 51st Regiments of Foot. Allied losses were approximately 2,800 killed or wounded; French losses approximately 10,000, including the Colonel of the Grenadiers de France the Marquis de La Fayette (and the father of the future American General).

As a result of the victory, the Duke of Brunswick was elected a Knight of the Garter on 16 August and invested in his camp on 17 October, in full view of the defeated French army; the Regiments involved received the Battle Honour ´Minden´, and wear ´Minden´ roses in their caps every year on the anniversary of the battle to this day. No official medal was granted for either the Battle of Minden, or for the Seven Years War in general, but a number of Regimental and unofficial medals were produced, of which the medal by Thomas Pingo is the most well-known (MI.ii, 702, 433). The Medal in this lot, The Very Honourable Order of the Old Deserving Soldier, was awarded by General Sir Eyre Coote, K.B., Commanding Officer of the 37th Foot 1773-83, to those members of the Regiment still serving who had particularly distinguished themselves at the Battle of Minden, in both silver and silver-gilt.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£2,800 to £3,200

Starting price
£2800