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France: Death of Napoleon on St. Helena, “Il Mourut Sur Un Rocher”

France: Death of Napoleon on St. Helena, “Il Mourut Sur Un Rocher”France: Death of Napoleon on St. Helena, “Il Mourut Sur Un Rocher”
France: Death of Napoleon on St. Helena, “Il Mourut Sur Un Rocher”France: Death of Napoleon on St. Helena, “Il Mourut Sur Un Rocher”
Form: Circular
By: Bertrand Andrieu
Date: 1821
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0842;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
69.4 mmBronze (original)104 gm$275
68.4 mmBronze (Restrike)143 gm$90

Edge: Original: Plain
Restrike: Plain with cornucopia mint mark. Sometimes dated. This medal 1971.

Obverse: Laureate head of Napoleon, right. Continuous wreath of laurel and oak bound with a ribbon inscribed: “WAGRAM, RIVOLI, PYRAMIDEE, MARENCO, LUNEVILLE, AMIENS, CODES, LEGON. D’HONR., AUSTERLITZ, IENA, TILSIT, SIMPLON”.

Reverse: A view of the island of St. Helena with a sailing ship on each side and radiant sun on right horizon. Above, an eagle with a frond in its talons. Legend: “IL MOURUT SUR UN ROCHER”. In the exergue: “ÎLE STE. HELENE / 5 MAI 1821.

Notes: References: Bramsen 1844., Tresor 68,8., Julius 3716., Schwering 1564.

St. Helena is a small island in the South Atlantic 2000 km west of Southern Africa. After Napoléon's defeat at the the Battle of Waterloo, he was taken to the island in October 1815 where he resided as a captive in Longwood House until his death on 5 May 1821.

Bertrand Andrieu (1761-1822) was a French medal engraver. He was born in Bordeaux and moved to Paris at the age of 25. He produced many medals during the Revolution, Empire, and Restoration periods.