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France - 1805

Allocution à l`armée sur le pont du Lech

Obverse:

Head of Napoleon laureated.

Legend:

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.

Exergue:

Under the head or exergue, ANDRIEU F. DENON DIR^T.

Size:

40 mm.

Reverse:

Napoleon on horseback, in Roman armour, his head laureated, addressing his army on the wooden bridge of the Lech who swear to conquer or die. In the air Victory is approaching, with a laurel wreath in one hand, and a palm branch in the other: on the left side, under the bridge, is seen the god of the river, seated on a rock, pouring water from an urn, on which is inscribed, LECH.

Exergue:

ALLOCUTION A L'ARMÉE. L'ARMÉE FAIT SERMENT DE VAINCRE XII OCTOBRE MDCCCV. DENON DIREC.

Laskey:

This medal records the act of the Emperor Napoleon, who having addressed his army at the passage of the river Lech, they all enthusiastically swore to conquer or die in the cause.

Edwards:

Edwards - 126

Plate VIII. No. 15

12th October, 1805.

Medal.

Napoleon.

R. Address to the Army.

NAPOLEON EMP. (empereur) ET ROI. Laureated head, to the right, similar to that of No 4. Plate V. On the edge of the neck: ANDRIEU F. (fecit).

R. The Emperor on horseback, in Roman costume, harangues his soldiers, who are also in Roman costume, helmeted, cuirassed, and armed with bucklers and pikes; the soldiers are stationed on the bridge of the Lech, and take oath by raising the hand. Above hovers Victory, holding a palm-branch and a crown, which she places on the Emperor's head. Beneath the bridge, the God of the river holds an urn, inscribed: LECH. Exergue: ALLOCUTION A L'ARMEE. L'ARMÉE FAIT SERMENT DE VAINCRE XII OCTOBRE MDCCCV. DENON DIRE. (direxit). (Address to the army. The army swears to conquer, October 12, 1805.—Denon direxit.) [40"]

Paris Medal Mint.

The Emperor was upon the bridge of the Lech, when he made one of the corps of the army to file off. He caused each regiment to form in circle, and spoke to them of the situation of the enemy, of the immediate prospect of a great battle, and of the confidence he had in them. This address took place during frightful weather; much snow fell, the troops were up to the knees in mire, and were exposed to severe cold; but the Emperor's words were of fire, says the Fifth Bulletin of the Grand Army; while listening to him, the soldier forgot his fatigues and his privations, and longed with impatient ardour for the arrival of the hour of combat.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 432 Allocution à l'armée sur le pont du Lech. (Andrieu.)
NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite.	Rev: Napoléon à cheval, en costume romain, harangue ses soldats, également en costume romain, placés sur un pont. Au-dessus plane la Victoire; sous le pont, le dieu du fleuve tenant une urne sur laquelle: LECH.
	Exergue: ALLOCUTION A L'ARMÉE. L'ARMÉE FAIT SERMENT DE VAINCRE XII OCTOBRE MDCCCV.
Médaille, 40 mm. - T. N. 8, 15; H. m. 34, 104; M. F. 355, 32.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1083 Allocution à l'armée sur le pont du Lech. (Andrieu et Droz.)
Tête laurée de Nap. à dr.	R. Sur le pont l'emp, à cheval haranguant ses soldats.
(TN. 8.15 - M. 104 - B. 432 - Flor. Mess. 293.) Arg. et br. 41 mm. 2 var. d'avers.

Milan:

Milan - 494 Allocuzione ai soldati sul ponte sul Lech.
D. Simile al precedente.	R. ALLOCUTION A L'ARMÉE / L'ARMÉE FAIT SERMENT DE VAINCRE / XII OCTOBRE MDCCCV (all'esergo) Nel campo, a s., Napoleone a cavallo a d., sul ponte sul Lech, in abiti classici, in atto di allocuzione verso gruppo di soldati a d., stanti a s.; in alto, Vittoria volante a s., regge con la mano s., ramo di palma e con a d., corona di alloro in atto di porla sul capo a Napoleone; in basso, a s., sotto il ponte, divinità fluviale (Lech), seduta a d., in atto di versare acqua nel fiume da brocca; in basso, al centro: DENON DIREC. Contorno a piatto e gola.
Autore: Droz;	Data: 1805
Caratteristiche tecniche: Argento;	Ømm 41; Coniazione
Bibl.: Bramsen, n.432 (R.); Julius, nn. 1410-1411 (R.); Essling, n.1083 (R.); Millin, n.104 (R.); De Félissent, n.333
Accoppiamento ibrido con un D. datato all'anno successivo, 1806.

Allocution à l`armée sur le pont du Lech