Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice October 2021 Auction 12-14 Oct 2021
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FRANCE. France - Great Britain. Napoleon I/Hercules & the Nemean Lion Bronze Medal, L'An 12 & 1804. Paris Mint. CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
Bramsen-320; Julius-1253; d'Essling-1019; Zeitz-36. Diameter: 40mm; Weight: 38.55 gms. By Droz & Denon. Commemorating the Construction of 2,000 Ships. Obverse: NAPOLEON EMPEREUR, laureate head right; Reverse: EN L'AN XII 2000 BAR QUES SONT CONSTRUITES, Hercules (representing France) wrestling the lion (representing England). Edge: Plain. Dark brown surfaces, with some underlying brilliance.
Bramsen-320; Julius-1253; d'Essling-1019; Zeitz-36. Diameter: 40mm; Weight: 38.55 gms. By Droz & Denon. Commemorating the Construction of 2,000 Ships. Obverse: NAPOLEON EMPEREUR, laureate head right; Reverse: EN L'AN XII 2000 BAR QUES SONT CONSTRUITES, Hercules (representing France) wrestling the lion (representing England). Edge: Plain. Dark brown surfaces, with some underlying brilliance.
Desiring to conquer the prize that was the British Isles, Napoleon knew that his only chance was through a direct invasion, an invasion that would require a tremendous amount of seafaring might. Though gathering nearly 2,000 ships between Brest and Antwerp, and receiving the assistance of Spain, he was nevertheless unable to surpass the superior naval skills of the British. This medal presents a rather romantic view of Napoleon's lofty goal, with Herculean France grappling with the British lion, though the outcome was anything but romantic.
Estimate: $100 - $200