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East India Co. Meritorious Service Medal: CM.1323-2009

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An image of East India Co. Meritorious Service Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: Calcutta
Issuer: East India Company
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901) (Struck in the name of)
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

With the introduction in 1845 of the Meritorious Service Medal for home troops of the Empire, it was not long before the Honourable East India Company thought it sensible to issue their own parallel award, which was therefore instituted in 1848. Although the East India Company's forces became part of the Royal Army in 1858 with the Company's dissolution, the issue of this decoration for troops in the theatre was discontinued only in 1873.
This medal is unnamed, and its recipient cannot be determined. Lester Watson acquired it at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, acquired before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.5 mm
Weight: 36.63 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1848 - 1873

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Company arms with standards and lion rampant above, banner with motto "Auspicio regis et senatus Angliae" below

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1323-2009
Primary reference Number: 141417
Watson Catalogue: 229
Ordering: M-0206
Previous object number: LW.0206

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "East India Co. Meritorious Service Medal" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141417 Accessed: 2025-12-24 00:44:12

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141417 |title=East India Co. Meritorious Service Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-24 00:44:12|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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