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Meritorious Service Medal: CM.1324-2009

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An image of Meritorious Service Medal
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
State: United Kingdom
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)
Mint: Calcutta

Entities

Categories

Description

Awards for Meritorious Service were instituted in the Royal Army in 1845, entitling the recipient to a medal and an annuity of £20. This was paid from a fixed fund, so that once it had been allocated no further awards could be made unless a recipient died or the fund was increased (it was doubled in 1853).
The very earliest issues of the medal bore a date either on the edge or below the bust, but after 1848 this practice ceased. This medal was therefore issued at some point between 1849 and 1901, when the death of Queen Victoria necessitated a change of the original Wyon portrait on the obverse.
It was awarded to Regimental Sergeant Major R. Knight of the 12th Lancers. 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: 36.2 mm
Weight: 34.18 g

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

1846 - 1860

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: Inscription in centre, crown above and laurel wreath around

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1324-2009
Primary reference Number: 141418
Watson Catalogue: 230
Ordering: M-0207
Previous object number: LW.0207

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) "Meritorious Service Medal" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141418 Accessed: 2025-12-07 19:04:14

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/141418 |title=Meritorious Service Medal |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-07 19:04:14|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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