France, Napoleon Bonaparte, 1804-1814, Gold Medal 1804, Coronation, PCGS SP 60, extremely rare
UVQGZ
Sign InDescription
France. First Empire. Napoleon I, 1804-1814. Gold Medal AN XIII (1804), Paris. Coronation celebrations given at the Hôtel de ville. 36.86 g.; 35 mm; by Brenet.
Obverse: NAPOLEON - JOSEPHINE. Busts of Napoleon I and Joséphine on the right, below signed BRENET //
Reverse: FIXA PERENNIS IN ALTO SEDES. An eagle crowned with laurel standing frontally on its seat. In the exergue on four lines FÊTES DU COURONNEMENT/ DONNÉES/ A L'HOTEL DE VILLE/ AN XIII and signature BRENET.
Br.359 v. - Ess.1038 v. - Jul.1297 v.
Extremely rare. Missing from the major references. PCGS graded SP 60
Comment
This medal (in gold) was presented, one to Napoleon and one to Josephine, as they sat on their thrones at the Hotel de Ville, by the Marechal Gouverneur "M" (who most probably would have been the Marechal Joachim Murat who was married to Napoleon's sister.) Then Napoleon and Josephine descended to cheers of "Vive L' Empereur, Vive L'Imperatrice" and retired to their respective "apartments" where they received dignitaries into the evening."
As there are more than two known in gold, a few other dignitaries must have managed to obtain one; perhaps Murat, Denon and/or Joseph and Louis Bonaparte. But it is certain that this extremely rare medal is more than a commemorative - it is a relic of one of history's most significant ceremonies.
Gold Stater
11215 Brooklyn New York - United States
+1 347 417 2026