1809 France Napoleon Medal – “Anvers Attacked by English” – Jupiter – Bramsen 870 – 41mm FRANCE – First Empire, 1809 Napoleon I Bronze Medal – “Anvers Attaquée par les Anglais” Engravers: Galle & Droz Diameter: 41 mm References: Bramsen 870 ; Julius 2128 Beautiful antique bronze with superb patina ⸻ Obverse – “JUPITER STATOR” Majestic depiction of Jupiter seated frontally on a ceremonial throne, holding the sceptre in his left hand and the thunderbolt (foudre) in his right. Legend: JUPITER STATOR. At the exergue: “NAPOLEON A SCHOENBRUNN MDCCCIX” – referring to Napoleon’s headquarters at Schönbrunn in 1809 during the War of the Fifth Coalition. The engraving is executed in the powerful neoclassical style characteristic of Denon’s direction of the Paris Mint. ⸻ Reverse – “ANVERS ATTAQUÉE PAR LES ANGLAIS” Personification of the city of Antwerp, crowned with mural crown, standing on the prow of a ship. She holds a sceptre in one hand and the caduceus, symbol of commerce, in the other. To the right: small altar with raised hand (symbol of oath and civic fidelity). Below: “ANVERS ATTAQUÉE PAR LES ANGLAIS — 1809”. This type commemorates the British naval attack on Antwerp in 1809, during the Walcheren Campaign. Napoleon considered Antwerp a crucial strategic port — “la principale pistolet braqué sur le cœur de l’Angleterre”. ⸻ Significance This medal celebrates the defense of Antwerp, one of the Empire’s most important naval and commercial bases, against the English expedition of 1809. Struck under the supervision of Vivant Denon, it forms part of the official Napoleonic medallic series – highly collectible and historically important. ⸻ Condition • Beautiful original antique bronze • Sharp details on both obverse and reverse • Attractive natural patina • No cleaning, no repairs A refined and desirable example of this classic Napoleonic medal.