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France - 1815

Mort de Berthier (Caqué.)

Obverse:

Buste, à droite.

Legend:

A. BERTHIER PRINCE DE WAGRAM MARÉCHAL DE FRANCE.

Exergue:

D. GAVEDELL-GEANNY E^DIT

Size:

41 mm.

Reverse:

Dans une couronne de laurier et de chêne: ITALIE, EGYPTE, MARENGO, WAGRAM, CAMP^S DE PRUSSE ET DE RUSSIE. - NÉ A VERSAILLES EN 1753 MORT EN 1815.

Vern's Comments:

I acquired this medal along with Bramsen #1053 at an extremely good price. Since they are not later restrikes, neither having edge markings, the good price was probably because both were damaged on the obverse. On this medal the damage consists of a bright scraped area above Berthier's ear.

Berthier was killed in a fall from a window before the military campaigns of the 100 Days. It is a matter of some dispute whether he died by accident, suicide or foul play. What is not open to question is that Napoleon's staff work suffered severely during the Hundred Days as inexperienced field commanders tried to fill Berthier's shoes.

It appears that the d'Essling lot #2652 consisted of 3 pieces related to Berthier's death, including a uniface of just the obverse.

Bramsen:

Médaille, 41 mm. - Inédite; cabinet de l'auteur.

d'Essling:

d'Essling #2652 BERTHIER (A.), prince de Neufchâtel et de Wagram, maréchal de France (1755-1815) (Caqué).
Br. 41 mm. et étain uniface.

Mort de Berthier (Caqué.)