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France - 1804

Distribution des Aigles - 357 - 2nd

Obverse:

Head of Napoleon encircled with a laurel wreath.

Legend:

NAPOLEON EMPEREUR.

Size:

26 mm.

Reverse:

the Emperor standing on an elevated platform or tribune, in his imperial robes, an Eagle standard in his hand, which he is presenting to three officers of different corps of his army, who are swearing fidelity to the same; the other two standards are held by an attendant, who stands on the side of the platform.

Legend:

DRAPEAUX DONNES A L'ARMEE PAR NAPOLEON I^ER.

Exergue:

AU CHAMP DE MARS LE 14 FRIM AN XIII DN. DIR. JE. F.

Laskey:

This medal, struck by the order of the French government, commemorates the grand fete held in the Champ de Mars, on the 14 Frimaire, 1804. At which Napoleon distributed to his army for the first time the new eagle standards. Under which they swore to conquer or die.

Edwards:

Edwards - 55

Plate IV. No. 5

5th December, 1804.

Medal.

Napoleon.

Colours given to the army.

NAPOLEON EMPEREUR. Laureated head, to the left. Beneath: DENON D. (direxit). DROZ F. (fecit).

R: DRAPEAUX DONNES A L'ARMEE PAR NAPOLEON I^ER. (Presentation of standards to the army by Napoleon the First.) Napoleon, standing on a suggestus or platform, before a curule-chair, distributes the standard-eagles to the representatives of the army, who take the oath of allegiance. Behind the platform stands an adjutant holding several colours. Exergue: AU CHAMP DE MARS LE 14 FRIM: (Frimaire) AN XIII. (At the field of Mars the 14th Frimaire, year XIII - December 5, 1804). Beneath: DEN. DIR. JF. F. (Denon direxit, Jeuffroy fecit). [26".]

Paris Medal Mint

On his accession to the Imperial dignity, Napoleon adopted the eagle as the emblem of the Empire, and gave new standards surmounted therewith to the army. The ceremony of distributing these eagles took place in the Champ de Mars on the 5th December, 1804. "Soldiers!" said Napoleon, "behold your colours ! These eagles will always serve you to rally under: they will be wherever your Emperor thinks them necessary for the defence of his throne and of his people.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 357
Distribution des aigles. (Droz et Jeuffroy.)

NAPOLEON EMPEREUR. Buste à gauche, lauré.

Rev: DRAPEAUX DONNES A L'ARMÉE PAR NAPOLEON I^ER. Napoléon, en empereur romain devant une chaise curule, remet des drapeaux à trois militaires, qui prêtent serment. Derrière Napoleon, un aide de camp, costumé à la romaine, tient les drapeaux qui vont être distribués.

Exergue: AU CHAMP DE MARS LE 14 FRIM. AN XIII.

Médaille, 27 mm. - T. N. 4, 7; H. m. 33, 90; M. F. 349, 13.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1040
Distribution des Aigles a l'Armée (Droz et Jeuffroy).

Buste lauré de Nap. à g.

R. Napoléon sur une estrade distribuant les drapeaux.

(TN. 4.7 - M. 90 - B. 357) Arg. et br. 27 mm.

Distribution des Aigles - 357 - 2nd