Heritage World Coin Auctions
Monthly Auction 271821 27 May 2018
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Napoleon I. Consulate (1799-1804), First Empire (1804-14). Lot of one-hundred-thirty-one (131) bronze medals UNC, in contemporary fitted red leather case. Consists of seven trays including the following issues:
Tray 1: Zeitz 1-21 (21 medals)
Tray 2: Zeitz 22, 24, 25, 26 (x2), 27-37 (16 medals)
Tray 3: Zeitz 38, 40, 41 (x2), 42-45, 47-49, 50 (x2), 52, 53 (15 medals)
Tray 4: Zeitz 54-72 (19 medals)
Tray 5: Zeitz 73-82, 84-92, 95 (20 medals)
Tray 6: Zeitz 94, 97-110, 113, 114, 116-119 (21 medals)
Tray 7: Zeitz 115, 120, 122, 123, 125-131, 137, 139-141, cf. 142 (Bramsen 1464), 143-145 (19 medals).
"I am a true Roman Emperor; I am of the best race of Caesars – those who are founders." – Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812.
An immense offering, this medal collection tells the tale of the entire history of the Napoleonic Wars; beginning with the Battle of Montenotte in 1796, the viewer is taken on a journey through the most significant events of Napoleon's military career, through the Egyptian campaigns 1798-99, the Battle of Austerlitz of 1805, the Peace of Tilsit 1807, the Russian Campaign of 1812, and many, many more battles and commemoratives besides. Alongside this narrative one is also provided with a glimpse into the personal life of the Emperor; his 1810 marriage to Marie-Louise, the 1811 birth of his son, Napoleon II, the "King of Rome", and medals featuring his younger sisters, Caroline and Pauline. Although the case itself is somewhat worn and the lid weak, the medals themselves are brilliant, impressively high-relief and each a deep chocolate-brown with bright reflective fields, only extremely minor verdigris on a few and light brushing on others. Their execution is nothing short of superb, dynamically illustrated and supremely detailed. For the full visual effect of this collection viewing in person is recommended, if possible.
Besides the historical significance and beautiful preservation of these pieces, perhaps the most striking aspect of this assemblage is embodied by the quote above: the clear influence of Roman symbolism in Napoleon's image of himself, and his military exploits. Dubbing himself 'Emperor' and portraying himself as Caesar bearing a laureate crown, Napoleon was a great admirer of the Roman Empire; this could not be made more evident than in the designs of these medals, which range from such Classical depictions as Herakles in battle with the Hydra and Vulcan seated on a mountain to outright copies of Octavian denarii commemorating the capture of Egypt. These specimens each speak of an avid admiration of Rome and its imagery and accordingly demonstrate the beauty and intricacy of Classical art. For the collector of historical medals, lovers of neo-Classical design or admirers of Napoleon Bonaparte himself, this is simply an unmissable opportunity to obtain a contemporary and visually stunning account of the Napoleonic Conflict depicted in gleaming, pristine bronze.
Accompanying this group is a handwritten receipt dated the 27th January 1814, detailing the purchasing of the original 131 medals in a 'red Morocco leather case' by a Mr. George Smith in Paris. Each medal is listed and priced individually, their cost totaling 423 francs, and with the addition of the case and packaging the total sum for the group amounted to 428 francs. Amazingly, this early date shows that this collection was assembled whilst the Napoleonic wars were still ongoing.
Also included is a later seven-page handwritten guide to the contents of the chest, each page relating to one of the trays of medals. The papers each bear the header "W. C. HAMILTON & SONS, Riverside Paper Mills.", dating them to c.1865-70; the Riverside Paper Mills were founded in Pennsylvania, 1746 by Anthony Newhouse and taken over in 1865 by Mr. Hamilton, soon after which the name changed to simply W. C. HAMILTON & SONS (Bulletin of the Historical Society of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, Vol 5, No. 4, April 1947, 278). This is a great connection to American history, Newhouse's paper mill being one of the earliest established in the USA.
Assembled and purchased in Paris in 1814, this collection had found its way to America before the end of the 19th century. These papers form an enviable antique provenance, and prove that these medals have been together for over two hundred years, even before the Napoleonic conflict had ended.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 15000-20000 USD
Napoleon I. Consulate (1799-1804), First Empire (1804-14). Lot of one-hundred-thirty-one (131) bronze medals UNC, in contemporary fitted red leather case. Consists of seven trays including the following issues:
Tray 1: Zeitz 1-21 (21 medals)
Tray 2: Zeitz 22, 24, 25, 26 (x2), 27-37 (16 medals)
Tray 3: Zeitz 38, 40, 41 (x2), 42-45, 47-49, 50 (x2), 52, 53 (15 medals)
Tray 4: Zeitz 54-72 (19 medals)
Tray 5: Zeitz 73-82, 84-92, 95 (20 medals)
Tray 6: Zeitz 94, 97-110, 113, 114, 116-119 (21 medals)
Tray 7: Zeitz 115, 120, 122, 123, 125-131, 137, 139-141, cf. 142 (Bramsen 1464), 143-145 (19 medals).
"I am a true Roman Emperor; I am of the best race of Caesars – those who are founders." – Napoleon Bonaparte, 1812.
An immense offering, this medal collection tells the tale of the entire history of the Napoleonic Wars; beginning with the Battle of Montenotte in 1796, the viewer is taken on a journey through the most significant events of Napoleon's military career, through the Egyptian campaigns 1798-99, the Battle of Austerlitz of 1805, the Peace of Tilsit 1807, the Russian Campaign of 1812, and many, many more battles and commemoratives besides. Alongside this narrative one is also provided with a glimpse into the personal life of the Emperor; his 1810 marriage to Marie-Louise, the 1811 birth of his son, Napoleon II, the "King of Rome", and medals featuring his younger sisters, Caroline and Pauline. Although the case itself is somewhat worn and the lid weak, the medals themselves are brilliant, impressively high-relief and each a deep chocolate-brown with bright reflective fields, only extremely minor verdigris on a few and light brushing on others. Their execution is nothing short of superb, dynamically illustrated and supremely detailed. For the full visual effect of this collection viewing in person is recommended, if possible.
Besides the historical significance and beautiful preservation of these pieces, perhaps the most striking aspect of this assemblage is embodied by the quote above: the clear influence of Roman symbolism in Napoleon's image of himself, and his military exploits. Dubbing himself 'Emperor' and portraying himself as Caesar bearing a laureate crown, Napoleon was a great admirer of the Roman Empire; this could not be made more evident than in the designs of these medals, which range from such Classical depictions as Herakles in battle with the Hydra and Vulcan seated on a mountain to outright copies of Octavian denarii commemorating the capture of Egypt. These specimens each speak of an avid admiration of Rome and its imagery and accordingly demonstrate the beauty and intricacy of Classical art. For the collector of historical medals, lovers of neo-Classical design or admirers of Napoleon Bonaparte himself, this is simply an unmissable opportunity to obtain a contemporary and visually stunning account of the Napoleonic Conflict depicted in gleaming, pristine bronze.
Accompanying this group is a handwritten receipt dated the 27th January 1814, detailing the purchasing of the original 131 medals in a 'red Morocco leather case' by a Mr. George Smith in Paris. Each medal is listed and priced individually, their cost totaling 423 francs, and with the addition of the case and packaging the total sum for the group amounted to 428 francs. Amazingly, this early date shows that this collection was assembled whilst the Napoleonic wars were still ongoing.
Also included is a later seven-page handwritten guide to the contents of the chest, each page relating to one of the trays of medals. The papers each bear the header "W. C. HAMILTON & SONS, Riverside Paper Mills.", dating them to c.1865-70; the Riverside Paper Mills were founded in Pennsylvania, 1746 by Anthony Newhouse and taken over in 1865 by Mr. Hamilton, soon after which the name changed to simply W. C. HAMILTON & SONS (Bulletin of the Historical Society of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, Vol 5, No. 4, April 1947, 278). This is a great connection to American history, Newhouse's paper mill being one of the earliest established in the USA.
Assembled and purchased in Paris in 1814, this collection had found its way to America before the end of the 19th century. These papers form an enviable antique provenance, and prove that these medals have been together for over two hundred years, even before the Napoleonic conflict had ended.
HID02901242017
Estimate: 15000-20000 USD