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France - 1809

Réunion de L'etat Roman a L'Empire

Obverse:

Head of Napoleon laureated;

Legend:

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.

Exergue:

under the base of the bust, the name of the artist, ANDRIEU F.

Size:

41 mm.

Reverse:

the allegorical figure of the river Tiber, taken from the antique statue in the Belvidere, at Rome; he appears reclined and leaning on his urn, from which the river issues out. He is crowned with a wreath of bulrushes, and has a venerable look; he holds in his right hand an oar, which lies over his arm; in his left hand, a cornucopia filled with fruit; on the left, lies the wolf suckling the twin brothers, Remus and Romulus, one of the latter only is seen: in the back-ground, a high rock, probably meant to represent the Tarpeian, on which is a small temple of Pax or Peace, near which, hovering in the air, an eagle on wing with the forked fulmen in his talons.

Exergue:

AQUILA REDUX M.DCCC.IX.

Laskey:

On the 17th May, 1809, Napoleon issued a decree for uniting the papal states to the French Empire, from the first of June following, and abolished the Pope's temporal power, after having tyrannized over Europe for more than one thousand years. To perpetuate this epocha, the French government directed this medal to be struck.

In his speech to the legislative body at its opening this year: he says, "History pointed out to me the conduct I ought to pursue towards Rome. The Popes become sovereigns of part of Italy, have constantly shewed themselves enemies of every preponderating power in the Peninsula; they have employed their spiritual power to injure it. It was then demonstrated to me, that the spiritual influence exercised in my states by a foreign sovereign, was contrary to the independence of France, and to the dignity and safety of my throne. However, as I acknowledge the necessity of the spiritual influence of the descendants of the first of the pastors, I could not conciliate these grand interests, but by annulling the donatives of the French Emperors, my predecessors, and by uniting the Roman states to France."

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 848
Rome réuni à la France (Andrieu.)

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

Rev: Le dieu de Tibre, tenant une corne d'abondance et un gouvernail, et couché sur son urne au pied du Capitole, sur le sommet duquel on aperçoit le temple de Jupiter. A ses pieds, une louve allaitant un enfant. Au-dessus, un aigle portant un foudre entre ses serres, vole vers le temple.

Exergue: AQVILA REDVX M.DCCC.IX

Médaille, 41 mm. - T. N. 32, 1; H. m. 44, 243; M. F. 378, 117.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1235
Rome réunie à l'Empire français. (Andrieu).

Tête laurée de Nap. à dr.

R. Le Tibre couché aux pieds du Capitole. A g. la louve.

(TN. 32.1 - M. 243 - B. 848). Arg. et br. 41 mm.