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Great Britain - 1799

Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty

Obverse:

Bust of Earl Spencer, wearing naval uniform and hair in queue, left.

Legend:

EARL SPENCER FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY

Exergue:

APPOINTED MAR. 9 . 1795

Size:

38.2 mm.

Reverse:

Victory standing blowing a trumpet, right.

Legend:

DECORI DECUS ADDIT A VITO (He adds honour to the ancestral honours).

Exergue:

UNDER WISE COUNSELS / THE BRITISH NAVY / TRIUMPHS . / MDCCXCIX.

BHM:

AR, AE, WM 38 by T. Wyon Sr.

AR RR; AE N; WM N.
H. 246/6; For. VI/640; M.H. 551; S. OO/12.
AM; BM; ML; NMM; UM.

George John Spencer (1758-1834) succeeded to the title on the death of his father, the first Earl in 1783. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge and became MP for Northampton in 1780 and for Surrey in 1782. He deserted the extreme Whig faction and was made First Lord of the Admiralty by Pitt in 1794. Under his direction, naval administration was improved and the victories of St Vincent and Camperdown were due in part to his ability. Spencer was responsible for the despatch of Nelson to the Nile in 1798. He was made KG in 1799 and was Home Secretary in 1806-7. The date of Spencer's appointment on the obverse is incorrect; he was appointed in December 1794.

Earl Spencer, First Lord of the Admiralty