Medals Database > By Country > Great Britain (19th Century Campaign Medals)

The Royal Niger Company’s Medal

Average Price:

£200 to £500
($250 to $640)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1899
Country: Great Britain

The Royal Niger Company’s Medal is a campaign medal awarded for service in minor military operations in Nigeria between 1886 and 1897 and issued in 1899 by the Royal Niger Company. The award covered a series of small punitive expeditions in the company’s territory between 1886 and 1897, with only operations where casualties had occurred qualifying.

Those involved were locally recruited troops and constabulary employed by the Royal Niger Company, as well as a small number of British army officers and non commissioned officers seconded to local forces.

No British Army units took part. For native forces, only those who were still in service when the medal was issued received the medal. No further awards were made after the Royal Niger Company had its charter revoked in 1899.

The Royal Niger Company’s Medal Design

The medal measures 38 millimeters (1.5 in) in diameter. It was awarded in silver to Europeans (some 100 awarded) and bronze to native Africans. The medal was designed and manufactured by Spink and Son of London.

All Royal Niger Company’s medals were issued with a single clasp that read “NIGERIA 1886-1897” on the silver medals and “NIGERIA” on the bronze.

The obverse of both medals depicts a left facing portrait of Queen Victoria, designed by Sir Joseph Boehm with the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA ET IMPERATRIX”.

The reverse shows the arms of the Royal Niger Company (a shield bearing the words “PAX, JUS, ARS”, Latin for Peace, Justice, Skill), with a trophy of arms and flags behind, all surrounded by a laurel wreath.

Silver medals had the name and rank of the recipient impressed or engraved on the rim. Bronze medals were issued with a number impressed on the rim.

The 31.7 millimeters (1.25 in) wide ribbon has three equal strips of yellow, black and white, with the yellow to the left when facing the wearer.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The East and Central Africa Medal

The East and Central Africa Medal is a British campaign medal awarded for military operations in the Uganda Protectorate and Southern Sudan.

The British South Africa Company’s Medal

The British South Africa Company Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War.

The China War Medal (1842)

The China War Medal is a military medal awarded to members of the British and Indian forces who took part in the First Anglo-Chinese War.

The South Africa Medal (1854)

. The South Africa Medal (1853) is a campaign medal awarded to officers and men who served in the Cape of Good Hope during the Xhosa Wars.

The Naval General Service Medal (1847)

The Naval General Service Medal was a campaign medal issued to officers of the Royal Navy and awarded retrospectively for naval actions.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database.