$65.00 CAD
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Wellington medallion commemorate Arthur Wellesley’s victories in the Peninsular War against Napoleon, celebrating his rise as a national military hero.
It was probably issued during the campaign as a halfpenny token to pay the British troops, and were later used in Canada, which partly explains why it is also listed as Canadian tokens.
Obverse
Bust of the Duke of Wellington facing left, in military uniform, with the Latin inscription:-
HISPANIA MET LUSITANIAM RESTITUIT WELLINGTON which translates as (Wellington restored Spain and Portugal)
Reverse
Inscription in the centre in nine lines:-
CUIDAD RODRIGO
JAN 19 1812.
BADAJOZ
APRIL 2 . 1812.
SALAMANCA
JULY 22 . 1812
MADRID
AUG 12 . 1812.
Round the edge (outer circle):-
VIMIERA AUG 21 . 1808. TALAVERA JULY 28 . 1809. ALMEIDA MAY 5 . 1811
Toned, slight wear
Diameter 27 mms. Weight 8 grams.
The Peninsular War (1807–1814) was a critical campaign in which British forces, under Arthur Wellesley, fought against Napoleon’s armies in Portugal and Spain. These campaigns forged the British Army into a highly disciplined and effective force, producing iconic regiments and enduring military traditions. Wellington’s leadership in battles such as Vimeiro (1808), Talavera (1809), and Busaco (1810) established his reputation and laid the groundwork for his later triumph at Waterloo
The 1812 Halfpenny Token Medallion
The medallion, possibly issued as a halfpenny token around 1813 by J.K. Picard of Hull, was struck in copper, weighing 8 grams and measuring 27 mm in diameter. This token catalogues seven of Wellington’s victories between 1808 and 1812, including Vimeiro, Talavera, and Almeida, and may have been used to pay British troops during the campaign. Some of these tokens later circulated in Canada, reflecting their broader historical reach.
This medallion not only commemorates Wellington’s victories but also reflect the national pride and admiration for his leadership. They serve as tangible reminders of the Peninsular War’s impact on British military history and the emergence of Wellington as a celebrated figure in both military and public life.
