204 - Silver commemorative medal marking the laying of the cornerstone of the Vendôme Column,

Silver commemorative medal marking the laying of the cornerstone of the Vendôme Column, The obverse features a right-facing profile of Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul, with the inscription at the bottom reading “Cambacérès, Second Consul / Lebrun, Third Consul / of the French Republic”; the reverse bears the inscription in the center “First stone / of the National Column / Laid by / Lucien Bonaparte / Minister of the Interior / 25 Messidor Year 8 / July 14, 1800,” and along the upper rim, “The French People to Their Defenders.” Good condition. Rare; one of the earliest known portraits of Napoleon. T.N., LXXVIII, 6; Julius 834; Essling 846; Bramsen 61. Circa 1800. Diameter: 4.3 cm. Gross weight: 31.7 g.