The Royal Mint has announced its first ever live online auction featuring a unique, original painting by the distinguished marine artist S. Francis Smitheman, ATD, BA Hons, FRSA, depicting the historic Battle of Trafalgar.

Bidding will commence on June 29


The magnificent oil painting was commissioned by the Royal Mint to celebrate the bicentenary of Nelson's great victory in 1805 over the French invasion forces of Napoleon Boneparte. The painting titled 'The Battle of Trafalgar - The Decisive Action', shows the moments after Nelson broke through the enemy line on his ship 'HMS Victory', marking the turn of the battle in favour of the British fleet. It was during this confrontation with the French that a musket ball fired from the 'Redoutable' mizzen top struck Nelson, piercing his lung and breaking his back.

Francis Smitheman is a distinguished marine artist whose work is exhibited in the UK, France, Norway, Sweden and the USA, in many private and company collections, on board ships and in museums. Working with ships' trusts and museums he has captured on canvas many of the world's great historic ships in their legendary settings and the Royal Mint auction represents the unique chance to own one of his original masterpieces.

The painting is only available through the online auction and has a reserve price of £20,000 - telephone and mail bids will not be accepted .

Those interested in making a bid for the painting should visit www.royalmint.com/auction/ where they will also find further information on the painting, details about the artist, stages of production and the opportunity to watch a streaming video of an interview with Francis. The auction will be live from 9am on 29 June 2005 - 5pm 11 July 2005.