London - The only surviving British flag from the Battle of Trafalgar was sold at auction for 384,000 pounds (638,000 dollars) Wednesday, coinciding with the 204th anniversary of the battle on October 21, 1805.

The flag, which was flown from one of Nelson's warships, HMS Spartiate, during the naval battle off the Spanish coast, was only expected to fetch up to 15,000 pounds and was sold at more than
20 times the predicted price.

Charles Miller, of auction house Charles Miller Ltd in London, said he was "lost for words" by the amount the flag went for.

"This demonstrates that this is a unique and charismatic artefact linked to the greatest naval battle of all time and Nelson's greatest triumph which took place 204 years ago today."

The lot was bought by a telephone bidder who remained anonymous.(dpa)