FRANCE – Consulate Period (Napoleon I as First Consul, 1799–1804) Bronze Medal, 1801, 42 mm By Benjamin Duvivier (1730–1819) Obv: CH. MICHEL DE L’ÉPÉE NÉ A VERSAILLES 1712 MORT A PARIS 1789 Bust of Charles-Michel de l’Épée, the famous educator and philanthropist, facing left. Rev: AU GÉNIE INVENTEUR DE L’ART D’INSTRUIRE LES SOURDS-ET-MUETS DANS LES SCIENCES ET LES ARTS / B. DUVIVIER / 1801 Legend honoring the “genius inventor of the art of teaching the deaf and mute.” • Metal: Bronze (AE) • Diameter: 42 mm • Engraver: Benjamin Duvivier • Date: 1801 A historically significant and beautifully preserved medal celebrating Charles-Michel de l’Épée (1712–1789), known as the “Father of the Deaf.” His pioneering methods laid the foundation for modern sign language education. Benjamin Duvivier (1730–1819), one of the most talented French medal engravers of the 18th century, succeeded his father Jean Duvivier as Medallist to the King and General Engraver of Coins in 1774. His refined neoclassical portraiture and perfect execution made him one of the greatest artists of his time. A superb and historically rich piece of Napoleonic-era medallic art, rare in such high preservation.