France--Consulate. MDCCCII (1802) Napoleon I Laudatory Medal. Gilt Copper. 58.5 mm. By J.G. Hancock, for Daniel Eccleston. cf. Bramsen-242, Julius-1124. Mint State, Cleaned, Obverse Tooled.

Obv: Draped and mailed bust of Napoleon right with inscriptions NAPOLEON BONAPARTE above, BY D: ECCLESTON / INSCRIBED TO along lower border, word LANCASTER below bust. Signed HANCOCK on the shoulder. Rev: Globe centered on the Indian Ocean with peripheral inscription HE GAVE TO FRANCE LIBERTY TO THE WORLD PEACE with the date MDCCCII below the globe. Otherwise bright golden-yellow surfaces exhibit blushes of iridescent pinkish-rose that are most prevalent in the upper and right obverse field areas. The strike is razor sharp, even over the high relief bust of Napoleon, the rims generally smooth with only a few trivial nicks. Wispy hairlines and a somewhat glossy texture point to a cleaning, and there is a concentration of light scratches in the obverse field along Napoleon's nose and forehead from tooling. A prominent border break on the reverse at the word LIBERTY is as made. This fascinating issue is listed in the usual Napoleonic medals catalogs. It was published by Daniel Eccleston and is a predecessor to his more famous Washington medal (Musante GW-88, Baker-85). The Napoleonic medal is far rarer, possibly due to the aforementioned die break on the reverse that forced the early retirement of that die , and it is not as well known to collectors of either American medals or pieces relating to the French emperor. For American collectors perhaps the ideal cabinet for this medal would be one formed in the Washingtoniana discipline and that already includes an example of the Eccleston medal. Daniel Eccleston, a reasonably wealthy Quaker, held political views deemed radical enough to merit some time in prison. He published philosophical tracts, but his more lasting legacy is the medallic expressions of his political sentiments. The honorific legend on the reverse of his Napoleon medal, HE GAVE TO FRANCE LIBERTY TO THE WORLD PEACE, could hardly be a more full throated -- and uncritical -- endorsement of the French ruler, who was serving as First Consul at the time this medal was produced. Also interesting is the labeling on the globe, with three continents identified (Africa, Asia, Europe), but no nations, and the Indian Ocean designated EASTERN OCEAN.

From Heritage's Charles J. Ricard Collection of Napoleonic Medals, May 2018, lot 38018.