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Great Britain - 1802

Death of Francis, Duke of Bedford

Obverse:

Bare head of the Duke of Bedford, left. FRANCISCUS DUX BEDFORDIÆ

Exergue:

NATUS JULII 23 1765. (Francis, Duke of Bedford, born July 23, 1765).

Size:

42 mm.

Reverse:

Shepherd leaning upon a veiled broken pillar. TIBI VOTA QUOTANNIS AGRICOLŒ FACIENT (Farmers will pray for you each year).

Exergue:

OBIT . MARTII 11 / MDCCCII (He died March 11 1802).

Vern's Comments:

This is probably a gilt copper piece that was cleaned harshly enough that most of the gilt came off. If you look in the hair of the obverse you can see the remains of the gilt.

BHM:

AR, AE, AE gilt, Pr. 42 by J. Hancock.
AR RR; AE N; AE gilt. R; Pr. R.
AM; BM; BMAG; FM; UM. E.P.M. 1887/271.

Francis Russell (1765-1802), fifth Duke of Bedford, succeeded his grandfather as Duke in 1771. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, and in later life counted himself among the friends of George, Prince of Wales. He was especially devoted to rural science and was one of the chief patrons of the Bath and West Agricultural Society of which he was President at the time of his death.

from British Historical Medals, p. 130

Death of Francis, Duke of Bedford