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East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900): CM.1452-2009

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An image of East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900)
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Artist: Wyon, Leonard Charles
Artist: Poynter, Edward John
Ruler: Victoria (1837-1901)
Ruler: Victoria regina (With the title of)

Entities

Categories

Description

Peace-keeping operations in the British possessions in Africa, as anywhere else, required a large number of small campaigns, several of which, from 1892 until 1900, were considered to merit this medal, which in terms of design is a continuation of the Ashantee Medal. Eligible recipients of that medal were therefore awarded only extra clasps.
The bar that this medal carries was awarded for participation in either or both of two expeditions in what is now Nigeria, one into the area around the modern city of Kaduna (which the British founded in 1913) between 20 February and 9 May 1900, and one into the erstwhile Muri Emirate, which in 1900 was a de facto French protectorate from which the pagan Munshi people were in the habit of raiding Hausa trading traffic. As a result of the campaign the British administration in Nigeria placed itself in strategic control of the area, and it was formally annexed to the Protectorate of Nigeria the following year.
This medal was awarded to Private Mohomadu Imbria of the 2nd North Nigerian Regiment. Lester Watson purchased the medal at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.3 mm
Weight: 39.12 g

Acquisition and important dates

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

Dating

Production date: AD 1900

Materials used in production

Silver

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Bust of Victoria facing left with veil

  • Text: VICTORIA REGINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Scene of bush fighting around tree with fallen African to fore

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1452-2009
Primary reference Number: 141546
Watson Catalogue: 375
Ordering: M-0335
Previous object number: LW.0335

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) "East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900)" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141546 Accessed: 2025-12-28 10:00:36

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141546 |title=East and West Africa Medal (1887-1900) |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-28 10:00:36|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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