Summary

Medal Prise de Wilna, Taking of Wilna, Issued by France, 1812
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

Laureate head facing right; around, NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI.; on neck truncation, ANDRIEU F.

Reverse Description

Napoleon, standing at right facing left, in the act of seizing the sword and shield of two warriors, a Russian and a Pole. in exergue, PRISE DE WILNA / XXVIII JUIN MDCCCXII.; in small lettering near rim above the exergue line, DENON DIR. and ANDRIEU F.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"This medal was struck on the taking of Wilna, the capital of Lithuania, and the chief town of all Polish Russia, at the commencement of the Russian campaign, 1812. It contained from 25,000 to 30,000 inhabitants, with a great number of convents and superb public buildings: previous to its being taken by the French, the Emperor of Russia had for some time held his court there. " Laskey p. 199-200

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