Summary

Medal Conquest of Naples, Issued by France, 1806
Artist: Jean Pierre Droz and Nicholas Guy Antoine Brenet
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Laureate head of Napoleon facing right; around, NAPOLEON EMP ET ROI; on neck truncation in small lettering, DROZ FECI, below, DENON DIREXI MDCCCVI. (without die crack)

Reverse Description

Victory flying to right crowning with laurel a Minotaur which stands right with head facing; under the belly is a small capped bust, (Laskey suggests this represents Socrates, emblematic of wisdom, as the animal is of strength); to right near edge, BRENET F. and to left DENON D.; in exergue, CONQUETE DE NAPLES. MDCCCVI.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"Bonaparte being highly irritated against the Queen of Naples, for the protection she gave to the English commerce, &c. did not let his vengeance sleep against her; and in a bulletin declared that the Queen of Naples had ceased to reign; it also stated that General St. Cyr was hastily advancing to Naples, to punish the perfidy of the Queen. He next published a proclamation to his army, defending his conduct against Naples; he there stated his kind attention to that power, and that three times he forgave it, but that he would not do so the fourth: the Neapolitan dynasty had ceased to reign; his brother will lead them on, who has all his confidence; soon after Joseph Bonaparte was proclaimed King of Naples." Laskey p. 116

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