British Royal Niger Company Medal 1899

Clasp " Nigeria". Bronze. Officially numbered (Impressed) "1695".

Original full size medal.

A very rare medal to locally recruited forces serving under the Royal Niger Company. The medal was established to reward forces involved in over 40 localized operations and skirmishes in the Niger territories, specifically where casualties had occurred. It was uniquely authorized to be issued by the Royal Niger Company with the approval of the British government. Just as the medals were being struck and distributed, the British Government revoked the company’s Royal Charter on January 1, 1900, purchasing its territories to form the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria.

Code: 4385