Soho Mint - A World First!

This booklet tells the story of Matthew Boulton’s gift of a commemorative medal, made at his mint at Soho near Birmingham, to all the men who fought at the battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805. It tells how Emma Hamilton, Lord Nelson’s mistress, had a role in the medal’s design because, in the words of Boulton’s agent, no-one was more likely to remember Nelson’s likeness. It tells us who received the medal and how. It gives insights into the 18th century fashion for collecting contemporary medals and into the great generosity of one of Birmingham’s most illustrious citizens.

MATTHEW BOULTON’S TRAFALGAR MEDAL

By Sir Nicholas Goodison

Published 2007 by Birmingham Museums & Art Gallery

ISBN 9780-7093-0258-4