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Great Britain - 1814

Napoléon à l`île Elbe - 2nd

Obverse:

WE CONQUOUR TO SET FREE / EMP. / OF RUSSIA / K. OF PRUSSIA / MARQUIS / WELLINGTON / PRINCE / SCHWARTZEN- / BERG / MARCH 31, 1814

Size:

25 mm.

Reverse:

Napoleon sitting backwards upon an ass being led by the devil.

Legend:

INSEPERABLE FRIENDS

Exergue:

TO ELBA

Vern's Comments:

This is probably one of the most famous tokens of the Napoleonic Wars. Certainly after 20 years the English felt they had the right to gloat a little, or a lot. These tokens are often found holed for wear such as the other one on the site. This one is as superb an example as you're likely to find since the weakness in the legend on the obverse is in part because of the metal pulling away to fill out the reverse's features.

Speaking of which, what could better point out the mindset differences between French and English than the choice of which side was the obverse, and which side the reverse?

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 1415
Napoléon à l'île Elbe.

INSEPERABLE FRIENDS. Un militaire, coiffé du chapeau à trois cornes, à cheval sur une âne, la figure du côté de la queue. A son cou est attachée une corde tenue par un diable à pied, qui mène l'âne par la bride.

Rev: Comme celui du N^o 1371.

Exergue: TO ELBA.

Médaille, 25 mm. - T. N. 61, 9.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1464
Arrivée de Napoléon a l'île d'Elbe.

Nap. assis sur un âne conduit par le diable

R. Légende.

(TN. 61. 9 - T. 1415).

Cuiv. argenté 25 mm.

BHM:

AE, AE silvered, Br. 25 by T. Kettle
AE N; AE silvered RR; Br. N.
AM; BM; ML; UM.

Napoleon was sent to the island of Elba on the 20th April 1814, the farewell to his troops being performed at the Fontainebleau Palace. A pension of £24,000 was given to Napoleon.

from British Historical Medals, Volume 1, p. 192

Napoléon à l`île Elbe - 2nd