Diameter: 47mm (1.8in)
Bronze, as issued to junior ratings, privately gilded and engraved in the reverse field ‘James Boulter / Minotaur’.
James Boulter (also recorded as Bolter) is shown on the books of HMS Minotaur as an Able Seaman. Born in Plymouth, he joined Minotaur on 1 October 1796, aged 22. At the Battle of the Nile fought in Aboukir Bay on 1 August 1798, the 74-gun third-rate ship of the line Minotaur engaged the Aquilon with HMS Thesus and forced her surrender. Minotaur lost 23 men killed and 64 wounded. Captain Thomas Louis of the Minotaur was personally thanked by Nelson for the assistance he gave to his flagship HMS Vanguard. After the French surrendered Rome on 29 September 1799, Mintaur’s barge crew rowed Captain Louis up the Tiber River where he raised the Union Jack over the Capitoline Hill.
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Nelson's 1798 victory was widely celebrated in Britain, and although no official medal was issued for the action until 1848 (by which time very few potential claimants were still alive) this medal was struck to the order of Nelson's prize agent for the campaign, Alexander Davison, by Matthew Boulton, of the Soho Mint, Birmingham, to dies by C.H. Kuchler. Obverse, Peace standing on a rock with an olive branch bearing a shield with Nelson's portrait, overall the legend ‘REAR ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE’. Reverse, a view of the opening stages of the Battle, under by the legend ‘ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY’S ARMS’. Engraved around the edge, but now concealed by the mount, ‘From Alexr. Davison Esq. St James’s Square - A tribute of regard’.
Alexander Davison paid for the Nile medals from profits accrued as a naval prize agent. It was the first medal to be awarded to every participant in a naval action. Twenty-five gold medals were struck for Nelson and his Captains, 150 silver for Officers, 500 copper gilt for Petty Officers and 6,000 in plain bronze for ratings.