1797 France Napoleon Campoformio Medal AN 6 – Buonaparte Born Ajaccio 1769 – Bronze (Perfetto equilibrio tra Napoleon, France, Campoformio, AN 6, Bronze per massimo traffico USA.) France – Revolutionary Period (Directoire), AN 6 (1797/1798) Napoleon Bonaparte – Bronze Medal “La France lui devra la Victoire et la Paix” Diameter: 33 mm Metal: Bronze Condition: Extremely attractive vintage patina – sharp strike and legends fully readable ⸻ Historical Background This medal belongs to one of the most iconic early medallic portraits of Napoleon Bonaparte, struck during the Directoire and celebrating the young General’s decisive victories that led to the Treaty of Campoformio (October 17, 1797). At this stage Napoleon was not yet Consul nor Emperor, but already recognized as the rising military genius of France. The piece commemorates his birth and his triumphs in Italy, emphasizing his role as the man who would bring Victory and Peace to the Republic. These AN 6 medals are popular among collectors of Revolutionary France, Early Napoleonic medals, and early portraits of Buonaparte before the Empire iconography standardized his features. ⸻ Obverse Legend: BUONAPARTE NE A AJACCIO LE 15 AOÛT 1769 • Beautiful uniformed bust of a young General Bonaparte, facing left, showing the long hair and early military dress typical of the Italian Campaign period. • Crisp details in the hair, coat, and epaulettes. • Early spelling “Buonaparte”, used before he adopted the French form “Bonaparte”. ⸻ Reverse Inside a finely engraved olive wreath: LA FRANCE LUI DEVRA LA VICTOIRE ET LA PAIX Below: AN 6 DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE A powerful political message: “France will owe him Victory and Peace.” • Highly desirable early portrait of Napoleon from the year of Campoformio. • The AN 6 issue is scarcer than later commemorative types. • Strong eye appeal thanks to the warm bronze patina and excellent preservation. • A classic medal listed in all major Napoleonic collections and sought after by advanced collectors. Condition Notes The medal shows: • Excellent preserved strike • Beautiful natural toning and vintage patina • Fully legible inscriptions • No harsh cleaning, no modern tooling A very attractive and authentic example.