Waterloo Medal | Master Of The Mint | United Services Institute

One of just thirty Master Of The Mint Waterloo Medals

Holy Grail for obsessive Waterloo Medal collectors

From the James Barry Gregson collection of medals

This Waterloo Medal is one of the famed Master Of The Mint series. Just thirty waterloo Medals were given by the Master Of The Mint to insitutions such as the United services Institute, and the British Museum, and to heads of government such as the then Prime Minister, and Chancellor. This example was given by the Master Of the Mint to the United Services Institute.

Description: Master Of The Mint Waterloo Medal. The Waterloo Medal with standard steel clip, ring suspension & ribbon.  The silver disc impressed with, 'FROM THE MASTER OF THE MINT TO THE UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE'.

Condition report: The Waterloo Medal in overall excellent towards near mint condition. The medal disc remaining particularly sharp with perfect detail remaining. The impressed designation clear and sharp. The disc free from any major knocks, scratches or other damage. The ribbon showing some age, and slight fading. Probably a replacement from the 1970s.

Notes: The Royal United services Institute (RUSI) was founded in 1831 (making it the oldest defence and security think tank in the world) at the initiative of the Duke of Wellington. Its original mission was to study naval and military science.

After the foundation of the RUSI the Master Of The Mint would send across one example of each medal struck by The Mint, for the RUSI's museum. The first item ever deposited with the RUSI Museum was the Waterloo Medal, at the bequest of the Duke Of Wellington.

By the beginning of the 1960s, the institution decided to close the museum and dispose of the contents. The doors were closed to the public in September 1962. In subsequent years the more important artefacts were transferred to the National Army Museum, the National Maritime Museum and dozens of regimental museums around the country. The smaller items in the museum collection were sent for auction by Wallis and Wallis, of Lewes, who specialised in militaria.

Provenance: Much of the RUSI Museum collection was sold off in the 1960s. The Waterloo Medal was purchased at the first auction of Museum artifacts, by author and collector, James Barry Gregson (see publication The Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal). Some of the 'notes' also relates to the provenance of the medal.

Additional information: An 1831 example of The Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal, given by the Master Of The Mint to The Royal United Servces Institute, is also available from the Gregson collection. See item b001202.