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France - 1807

La route du Simplon terminée

Obverse:

Head and legend same as the preceding.

Size:

41 mm.

Reverse:

a sitting colossal figure of an old man, emblematic of a mountain-god; his right leg is thrown across his left thigh, the foot of which rests on the pinnacle top of a smaller mountain beneath; his left foot is placed on the fore-ground, at the base of the mountain, which is washed by rapid waters; his arms are supported on the tops of lofty mountain peaks; from the base ascends a winding path, whereon is seen an army with its whole material ascending the craggy steep, and winding its way by a path, up the right arm of the figure, on which are seen the advanced-guard; on the base of the mountain, 1807.

Exergue:

SIMPLON

Laskey:

By a decree of the 12th November, Napoleon united to the French Empire, the territory of the Valais, under the name of the department of Simplon, a name derived from one of the mountains of the Alps, situate on the side of Great St. Bernard, Mont Blanc is on the other: these three mountain masses are all recorded by the medals of Napoleon. - (See Nos. 12 and 34.) The pretexts for this annexation were, that the Simplon, connecting France and Italy, had cost both treasuries eighteen millions of livres; that the Valais had not adhered to its engagements; and that it was necessary to put an end to the struggles for power among the population. This annexation was deemed of sufficient importance by the French government, for a medal to be struck and issued from the national mint, to perpetuate the event.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 688
La route du Simplon terminée. (Brenet.)

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite.

Rev: Le Simplon, représenté sous les traits d'un vieillard, assis au milieu d'énormes montagnes, à travers lesquelles sont tracées les sinuosités d'une route que suivent des troupes. Sur un des rochers, à gauche, on lit en creux: 1807.

Exergue: SIMPLON

Médaille, 41 mm. T.N. 23, 12; H. m. 42, 228; M.F. 371, 90.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1201
La route du Simplon terminée. (Andrieu et Brenet.)

Tête de Nap. à dr.

R. Le géant des Alpes ass. sur des montagnes à travers lesquelles on voit le défilé des troupes sur la route qui serpente.

(TN 13.12 - M. 228 - B. 688 - Flor. Mess. 77) Arg et br. 41 mm.