AR 5 Francs

Struck: 1810
Mint: Paris
Size: 37mm
Weight: 24.86g
Die Axis: 180°
Grade: VF
Ref: Gadoury 581

Obv: NAPOLEON EMPEREUR. Laureate bust right. Engravers mark T (Tiolier) in field.
Rev: EMPIRE FRANCAIS. 5 Francs within wreath. 1810. A. Mint Master’s mark (cock).
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Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica, France. He is one of the most celebrated leaders in western history and it is difficult to summarize his accomplishments in a small format such as this. He revolutionized military organization and training, sponsored the Napoleonic Code, reorganized education, conquered a large part of Europe, became the first Emperor of France and established the Concordat with the papacy.

During the War of the Sixth Coalition, Napoleon's generals mutinied and he was forced to abdicate on April 11, 1814. He was later exiled to Elba. Napoleon escaped Elba on February 26, 1815 and was intercepted by the 5th regiment sent to capture him. Napoleon dismounted his horse and shouted "Here I am. Kill your Emperor". The regiment responded with "Vive LeEmpereur!" and marched with him on Paris where he ruled for a period of one hundred days despite being declared an outlaw by the Congress of Vienna. Napoleon was defeated on June 18th, 1815 by allied forces led by Wellington and von Blucher. He was exiled once again, this time to St. Helena where in early 1821 his health began to fail rapidly. He died on May 5th 1821 of stomach cancer. In November of 1840, at the urging of Louis Philippe I, Napoleon's remains were returned to France and he was given a state funeral on December 15th, 1840.