Summary

Medal Allocution sur le Pont du Lech, Speech to the Army on the Lech Bridge, Issued by France, 1805
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Laureate head of Napoleon facing right, around, NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.; on neck truncation in small lettering, ANDRIEU F.

Reverse Description

Napoleon, laureate, on horseback facing right in Roman armour, on the wooden bridge of the Lech addressing his army, who raise their right arms as they swear to conquer or die; above, Victory flying left, with a laurel wreath in one hand, and a palm branch in the other: on the left side, under the bridge, is seen the god of the river, seated on a rock, pouring water from an urn, on which is inscribed, LECH; in exergue, ALLOCUTION A L'ARMEE / L'ARMEE FAIT SERMENT DE VAINCURE / XII OCTOBRE MCCCV; below in small lettering, DENON DIREC

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"This medal records the act of the Emperor Napoleon, who having addressed his army at the passage of the river Lech, they all enthusiastically swore to conquer or die in the cause." Laskey p. 95

More Information