Summary

Medal les Aigles Francaises sur le Borysthene, 'French Eagle-Standard on the Borysthene', Issued by France, 1812
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu and Henri F. Brandt
Minted by Paris Mint

Obverse Description

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

Reverse Description

The River God Borysthenes seated on rocks to left, head facing right, his left arm rests on an urn from which the river issues, reeds and bulrushes at right; behind god the eagle standard of France. in exergue, L'AIGLE FRANCAISE / SUR LE BORYSTHENE / M. DCCCXII.; in small lettering near rim above the exergue line, DENON. D. and BRANDT. F

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

"This medal was struck on the victories obtained by the French during the Russian campaign of 1812, particularly after the battle and capture of Smolensk, the bulwark of Moscow, the French having rapidly followed up their victories; and on the 19th of August, at day-break, a bridge being finished, the Marshal Duke of Elchingen crossed over to the right bank of the Borysthenes, and pursued the Russians..." Laskey p. 205-206

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