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The '''Nile Medal''' was a privately-issued commemoration of the British victory at the [[Battle of the Nile]], 1798.  The medal was commissioned by [[Alexander Davison]], whom Admiral [[Horatio Nelson|Nelson]] had appointed the sole [[prize agent]] for the ships captured at the Battle of the Nile.  He paid for the medal from his profits; the total cost was £2000.

Specimens in gold were presented to Nelson and his [[Post Captain (rank)|captain]]s, silver to [[lieutenant]]s and [[Royal Navy ranks|warrant officer]]s, gilt bronze to [[Royal Navy ranks|petty officer]]s and copper to [[Royal Marines]] and seamen.[http://www.aboutnelson.co.uk/medals.htm]

A description of a copper specimen given to Private John Lewes, Royal Marines, aboard ''[[HMS Defence]]'', from the [http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0184 National Maritime Museum]:

'''Obverse:''' On a rock near the sea, Peace is standing holding in her right hand an olive branch and supporting with her left hand a medallion of Nelson, an anchor behind her.  
Legend: 'REAR-ADMIRAL LORD NELSON OF THE NILE'.  
Inscription around the portrait: 'EUROPE'S HOPE AND BRITAIN'S GLORY'.  
Below: 'C.H.K'. (C.H. Kuchler).  

'''Reverse:''' View of Aboukir Bay at sunset, the British Fleet going into action, the French at anchor.  
Incuse: 'John Lewes H.M.S. DEFENCE'.  
Legend: 'ALMIGHTY GOD HAS BLESSED HIS MAJESTY'S ARMS'.  
Exergue: 'VICTORY OF THE NILE AUGUST 1. 1798'.  Above (left) 'M.B. SOHO' (right) 'C.H. KUCHLER. FEC.'  
Both sides of the medal are glazed, with a suspension loop and white ribbon with blue edges attached.
==External link==
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/nelson/viewObject.cfm?ID=MED0971 Picture and description of Davison's Nile Medal at the National Maritime Museum]

==In the Canon==

[[Jack Aubrey]] received a silver Nile Medal, having served as a [[lieutenant]] aboard ''[[HMS Leander]]'' during the battle.[http://www.hmssurprise.org/Resources/timeline.html] In the Canon, he typically wears the medal in a buttonhole of his dress uniform coat.

[[Category:Naval life]]