France. Napoleon I (1769-1821). Passage of S:t Bernard & Marengo Battle, 1800.

Designed by Jean Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). Engraved year 1800. Iron 41 mm. Weight 27,9 gram. Ex. Pedersen Mynthandel, 2010. Rare!

Commemoration of: Passage of the Grand-St. Bernard pass 15-20 May 1800.
Victory, right, holding an olive branch and gripping the reigns of two horses, which pull the barrel of a cannon- in the manner of a chariot- in a sled formed by a hollowed out tree trunk; the cannon is drawn over a mountain representative of the Alps.
L'ARMÉE FRANCAISE PASSE LE ST. BERNARD XXVIII FLOREAL AN VIII MDCCC.

Commemoration of: Battle of Marengo 14 Jun 1800.
In centre, a ring on which are suspended eleven keys, within enveloping palm branches.
BATAILLE DE MARENGO, XXV PRAIRIAL AN VIII MDCCC.

According to documentation kept in the Archives Nationales, Fragonard was paid 74 francs for each of the obverse and reverse designs. Dubois was paid 2000 francs for engraving the two dies.

References:
- Laskey 12 (Descriptionyear 1818 of a Series of Medals Struck at the National Medal Mint by Order of Napoleon Bonaparte).
- Bramsen 37 (Year 1904 description "Médallier Napoléon le Grand ou Description des Médailles, Clichés, Repoussés et Médailles-décorations Relatives Aus Affaires de la France Pendant le Consulat et L'Empire".
- Collection Julius 793.

NAPOLEON I
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. He was the leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, then of the French Empire as Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and briefly again in 1815. Napoleon's political and cultural legacy endures as a celebrated and controversial leader. He initiated many liberal reforms that have persisted through the years, and is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. His campaigns are still studied at military academies worldwide. Between three and six million soldiers and civilians died in the Napoleonic Wars.

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Fraktalternativ: Postnord frimärkt, alternativt Schenker spårbart/försäkrat. Samfraktar alltid.