Lord Nelson employed a prize agent, Mr. Alexander Davison, to handle the disposal of the ships and other booty captured at the Battle of the Nile. Many choice items found their way into Davison's hands, the value must have been high because Mr. Davison presented a medal to every officer and seaman of Nelson's fleet; Gold to Captains and Lieutenants, Silver to Warrant officers, Bronze Gilt to Petty Officers, and Bronze to seamen and mariners at a total cost of some #2,000

The 1 7/8" medal was designed, engraved and struck by Conrad Heinrich Kuchler (c. 1740-1810), a Flemish medallist, engaged by Mathew Boulton in 1793, and struck at Boulton's steam coin press in the Soho Mint, Birmingham. The medals were worn suspended from a broad blue ribbon.