Naval Gold Medal

The Naval Gold Medal was awarded between 1793 and 1815 to senior officers of the Royal Navy for specified actions.

22 large medals were awarded to flag officers (admirals), commodores and captains of the fleet.

[2] Awards of the gold medal were discontinued after 1815, as would-be recipients became eligible for the Order of the Bath on its enlargement to three classes.

[3] Following the Battle of the Glorious First of June 1794, the Naval Gold Medal was instituted to reward those admirals and captains who had been conspicuous for courage in that action, as well as those who might distinguish themselves on future occasions.

[6] In spite of representations made by Lord Nelson, no medal was authorised for the Battle of Copenhagen, due to concerns that it may offend the Danes.

Lord Nelson wearing large gold medals for St. Vincent and the Nile. With a later posthumous award for Trafalgar, he was the sole recipient of three large gold medals.
Admiral Sir Charles Knowles wearing a small gold medal for St. Vincent, where he commanded HMS Goliath .
The coat of arms of the 1st Viscount Duncan was augmented with the Naval Gold Medal after his victory at the battle of Camperdown