Medal 1809 Formation of Banque de France. Vzgl+

Preisanfrage

1809, France, Napoleon I. Formation of Banque de France. Bronze Medal.

Mint Place: Paris
Reference: Bramsen 918.
Mint Year: 1809 (original strike!)
Medallist: Jean-Pierre Droz (J. P. Droz)
Denomination: Medal - Formation of Banque de France.
Condition: A few mint-made planchet-splits (usual for a large striking), which were masterfuly repaired (filled), light scratches, otherwise AU-UNC!
Material: Bronze
Diameter: 67mm
Weight: 155gm

Obverse: Wreathed bust of Napoleon I right. Medallist´s signature (J.P.DROZ FECIT.) and date (AH 1809.) below bust trunction.
Legend: NAPOLEON EMPEREUR ET ROI . / J.P. DROZ FECIT. AN 1809.

Reverse: Mercury standing and suporting an old man (Odysseus) with his greyhound (Argus), who receives a medal on a chain from the enthroned personification of the Banque de France. Her throne is decorated with a sea-monster entwined around a trident and has corucopia as armrests. Beneath the throne in foreground are four bags and a tun from which coins are pouring out.




In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus returns to Ithaca after 20 years, disguised as a beggar to survey his home. His loyal dog, Argos—once a magnificent hunting hound—is now old, neglected, and left on a dung heap. Despite the disguise, Argos instantly recognizes his master.



The Bank of France was originally established by Napoleon Bonaparte as a private-sector corporation with unique public status. It was granted note-issuance monopoly in Paris in 1803 and in the entire country in 1848. Long independent from direct political interference, it was brought under government control in 1936 and eventually nationalized in 1945. While other banks of issue were established in the French colonial empire, the Bank of France remained Metropolitan France's sole monetary authority until France's adoption of the euro as its currency.

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