Watch List notes:

INDIA. India - Great Britain. Capture of Seringapatam Gilt Silver Medal, "AH 1213/1799" (1801). UNCIRCULATED. Mounted. Glazed.
Eimer-903A; Puddester-Unlisted; BBM-27; MY-79. Weight: 70.44 gms. Diameter: 49.5 mm. Obverse: The British Lion right attacking the Indian Tiger, British Battle standard above; IV MAY MDCCXCIX in exergue; Reverse: Radiant sun over wide battle scene, with smoke rising from Seringapatam; inscription in Persian in exergue; Edge: Inscription in cursive font: Peter Cherry Paymaster to the Nizam's Detachment. 4th May 1799.; contemporary edge mount. An ornate and always strongly demanded type, on account of the intricacy of the design executed by the Soho Mint, this piece can claim a storied pedigree along with much resolute beauty.

This medal was present to Peter Cherry, who was paymaster of the Nizam's Detachment that saw action at Seringapatam. The capture of Seringapatam was the decisive conclusion of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, during which the British East India Company and their allies, the Nizam of Hyderabad and Maratha defeated Tipu Sultan a usurper to the Mysore throne. During the conflagration, the Tipu Sultanate was killed in action, and the siege proved further British control of the Subcontinent.

Peter Cherry was born in 1773 at Brompton and by the age of 16 volunteered for the Madras Civil Service. In 1797 Cherry was dispatched to Hyderabad as paymaster for under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Roberts. Cherry became a field officer commanding Nizam troops, under the authority of the East India Company. It was in this role that Cherry participated in the Siege of Seringapatam, and was awarded this decoration. As a field officer he was entitled to a gilt silver medal, as this piece is.

The present example is lovely, with strong details and much reflectivity. The glazing is still intact, with no chipping or fault, and the edge inscription is lovely and still legible. A tasteful and old mount is present, and this piece exudes originality. A wonderful item with a great pedigree and story.

Estimate: $4000 - $8000