Description
FRANCE 1798 Napoleon in Egypt , a restrike 42mm silver medal 42.06 grams, by A. Bovy [struck after 1880]
Obverse: Napoleon facing right, BONAPARTE GENERAL EN CHEF / A. BOVY
Reverse: Napoleon on horse back addressing troops, four pyramids in background, SOLDATS DU HAUT DE CES PYRAMIDES / 40 SIECLES NOUS CONTEMPLENT / NAPOLEON EN EGYPTE / 25 JUILLET 1798 / A. BOVY (Trans: SOLDIERS FROM THE TOP OF THESE PYRAMIDS / 40 CENTURIES SEE US / NAPOLEON IN EGYPT / JULY 25, 1798)
Edge: Cornucopia privy mark (Paris Mint) ARGENT (the edge poorly stamped)
Antoine Bovy was a French/Swiss sculptor and medallist. He was a student of the studio of Jean-Jacques Pradier at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He created numerous medals, distinguished by highly artistic portraits and a large thematic variety. The best of his works include medals in honour of Goethe, Calvin, Cuvier, Liszt, Louis-Philippe and also several portraying Napoleon I. He worked in France in service of Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III.
The Paris Mint restrikes many of its medals, and while there is nothing on the obverse or reverse to indicate that it is a restrike. The edge indicates that this piece was made in 1978 instead of 1934. The complete list of French privy marks is below.
Antique Lamp (Lampe Antique) . March 1832 – October 1841, Gold and Silver strikes.
Anchor and C interlaced (Ancre et C) , October 1841 – Sept. 1842. Bronze, Silver, Gold.
Prou Antique (Antique Prow) , 1842 – 1845.
Pointing Hand (Main Indicatrice) , June 1845- October 1860.
Bee (Abeille) , November 1860 – December 1879.
Cornucopia (Corne d'Abondance) , Jan. 1, 1880 – present.
Cornucopia plus date of actual striking, 1966 – present.
