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Ref: 7051 |
France,
the Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor 1804, by Denon & Andrieu,
rare in silver Obv:
laureate bust of Napoleon right, NAPOLEON EMPEREUR around Rev:
Napoleon borne aloft on a chieftain's shield by a Roman senator and a
soldier, holding the sword of Charlemagne and an imperial eagle on a sceptre,
a book and a plough in the field, LE SENAT ET LE PEUPLE around, year AN XIII
in exergue (1804)
References:
Bramsen 327 Notes:
It was the custom of Frankish chieftains to be held aloft on shields by their
men on gaining the chieftainship. Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French
at a lavish ceremony in Notre-Dame cathedral on 2nd December 1804, causing
one French general to comment during it: "What a shame that the 300,000
Frenchmen who died to overthrow one throne are unable to enjoy the superb
fruit of their sacrifice." Price £375 |
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