21/10/2026
On Trafalgar Day, it seems appropriate to look back on a recent item that was sold at Noonans. Nelson's Guinea that was found aboard Victory among his personal possessions fetched a hammer price of £30,000 - three times its pre-sale top estimate - at Noonans Mayfair in an auction on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in a sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria [lot 701].
The ‘Horatia Nelson-Ward’ Nelson Guinea and Casket contained a George III gold guinea that had been found aboard Victory among Nelson’s personal effects and was given to Emma Hamilton’s infant daughter Horatia as a memento of her beloved father. It was subsequently mounted as a brooch and was being sold by a Chinese collector of historical items. It was bought by a British collector of important historically connected British coins and medals.
Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison at Noonans explained: “The Guinea and casket, which made such a spectacular price, had a wonderful connection with Nelson and was clearly worn as a memorial brooch enhancing the romantic connection to him.”
The guinea and casket, which had been made to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, passed down through the Nelson-Ward family to the Reverend Hugh Nelson-Ward, then to his friend the Reverend Robert Evans (Royal Navy College Chaplain) who passed it to his nephew. It was previously sold in 2005.
For more details, see link to catalogue https://www.noonans.co.uk/archive/past-catalogues/861/catalogue/539995/?keywords=nelson&x=0&y=0
