(1874) Ashanti medal. Silver, 36 mm. MY-126, BBM-82. Edge mount with straight bar swivel suspension. Extremely Fine. "W.H. LAMB, DOM. 2CL: H.M.S. HIMALAYA. 73-74" engraved on the edge. Strong field reflectivity and attractive toning in blue and violet give this piece excellent visual appeal. Some old signs of polish and typical wear are seen.<p>The notorious former slave trading port of Elmina, on the modern day coast of Ghana, was built by the Portuguese in 1482, but had been under Dutch control from 1637 to 1872. When the British took over the Dutch Gold Coast that year, the customary annual payments to the Ashanti King stopped suddenly. Non-plussed by this unforeseen development, the Ashantis attacked British positions along the newly contrived British Gold Coast. In a show of strength, British forces shelled two towns, landed a battalion of troops from the West India Regiment along with hundreds of Royal Marines, and attacked the Ashanti capital at Coomassie. Several engagements followed, all of which saw the British forces outnumbered but their opponents outgunned. After deciding that the British had had enough, Sir Garnet Wolseley set the city of Coomassie on fire and left. At the end of it all, rather than the Ashanti King receiving annual payments for the presence of foreign troops at Elmina, he was forced to give up claim to some territory and make indemnity payments.<p>The crew of the HMS <em>Himalaya</em> received 278 medals for their role in the Ashanti Campaign. Built as a passenger ship in 1854, she was eventually sunk by the Luftwaffe in 1940. William Henry Lamb, a Domestic 2nd Class, was aboard the <em>Himalaya</em> from 28 September 1873 to 13 May 1874. An unskilled laborer from Stoke Damerel in Devon, Lambs character was described as "very good" until he was discharged as "undesirable" in September 1875.<p>Offered with a ribbon of uncertain age, but likely original. From the Gem Collection. <p> Earlier from our (Stacks / Coin Galleries) sale of February 1993, lot 1651.<p>
