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France - 1800

Passage du Saint-Bernard

Obverse
Obverse:
Buste a dr. drape d'un manteau
Legend:
BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRAN.SE
Exergue:
BATAILLE DE MARENGO LE XXVI PRAIRIAL AN VIII
Size:
58 mm.
Reverse
Reverse:
Bonaparte a cheval a g., arme de foudres
Exergue:
PASSAGE DU G.D S.T BERNARD LE XXV FLOREAL AN VIII.

Vern's Comments:

I have no idea why these particular images are displaying as they are. Since they're quite remarkably bad images this medal has moved high upon the re-imaging list! I'll remove this note when it happens!


 
This is a probable identification. There are several in a series about this place in d'Esslings catalog but this is the only one that is 58 mm and mentions both the Battle of Marengo on the obverse and the passage of Grand St. Bernard pass on the reverse. I am certain of the identification in Bramsen.
 
Both sides of this medal are collectable by themselves. By that I mean that usually one side of a medal has a design that makes the medal collectable while the other side generally has just Napoleon's head. Don't get me wrong. Napoleon's head can be a work of art in itself but a half dozen different designs generally show up over and over. This piece has two sides of great interest.
 
The obverse has a depiction of the Battle of Marengo under an unusually small head of Napoleon. Behind the bust and scene are captured flags and cannon from the battle. The image of Napoleon hurling thunderbolts on the reverse is intriguing. The propaganda concerning the crossing must have been going strong from the beginning. Notice the resemblence between this image and the painting by David done later.
 

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 33
Passage du Saint-Bernhard. (Montagny.)
BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANSE. Buste de Napoléon à droite, tête et col nus, cheveux courts, placé sur un tableau carré long représentant la bataille de Marengo.
(32) Rev: Armé d'un foudre, Napoléon, en uniforme et à cheval, se frayant un chemin à travers les rochers du Saint-Bernard.
Exergue: BATAILLE DE MARENGO LE XXVI PRAIRIAL AN VIII.
Exergue: PASSAGE DU GD. ST. BERNARD LE XXV FLOREAL AN VIII.
Sur la plinthe, à gauche: MONTAGNY F.
Sur la barre: MONTAGNY F. D'APRÈS ANDRIEU.
Revers comme celui du No 32.
Médaille, 58 mm. - M. F. 323, 70.

d'Essling: