Ceylon / Sri Lanka
Assam, India
Japan
Taiwan
Nepal
China
Kenya
Egypt
South Africa
Specification
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Alloy
Fine Silver - 999Ag
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Denomination
£1
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Weight
1oz
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Authority
St Helena
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Diameter
38.61mm
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Edge
Milled
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Issue limit
1821
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Total Mintage
1821
BEHIND THE CRAFT
Behind the Craft - Napoleon's Angel
Napoleon Bonaparte built an Empire that spread across Europe before his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Exiled to St Helena, he spent his final years at Longwood House, where he died in 1821. He was buried under a willow tree in the garden without fanfare, a simple gravestone marking the spot.
In his will Napoleon expressed a desire to be buried in Paris, a wish that was granted in 1840. Napoleon’s remains now lie in a tomb under the gold-plated dome at Les Invalides, his final resting place under the watchful gaze of 12 magnificent life-size angels, carved from stone and stationed by the pillars of the crypt.
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This anniversary coin is inspired by the Napoleon Death Medal, which featured an angel draped over the Emperor’s tomb. Both are captured on this new design, its central focus a peaceful angel holding a watchful gaze and protective hand over Napoleon’s gravestone, which is inscribed with his monogram surrounded by a classical laurel wreath.
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• Strictly limited edition of just 1821 coins worldwide
• One ounce of sparkling 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Product Detail
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This anniversary coin is inspired by the Napoleon Death Medal, which featured an angel draped over the Emperor’s tomb. Both are captured on this new design, its central focus a peaceful angel holding a watchful gaze and protective hand over Napoleon’s gravestone, which is inscribed with his monogram surrounded by a classical laurel wreath.
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• Strictly limited edition of just 1821 coins worldwide
• One ounce of sparkling 999 fine silver • Struck to our highest Proof quality finish • Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet |
Stories
Napoleon's Angel
In 1792 Augustine Dupre, commissioned by King Louis XVI to design a new French coinage, presented a well-received design featuring an angel on a pedestal.
Unfortunately he became implicated in rumours of revolutionary beliefs and was sentenced to execution, but he managed to escape the cold touch of the guillotine, allegedly by bribing his guards with one of his Angel coins!
The Angel became known as a ‘lucky’ coin and apparently the great Napoleon himself was not beyond its charms. According to folklore he carried one in his pocket throughout his reign, only to fatefully lose it the day before his final defeat at Waterloo.
Unfortunately he became implicated in rumours of revolutionary beliefs and was sentenced to execution, but he managed to escape the cold touch of the guillotine, allegedly by bribing his guards with one of his Angel coins!
The Angel became known as a ‘lucky’ coin and apparently the great Napoleon himself was not beyond its charms. According to folklore he carried one in his pocket throughout his reign, only to fatefully lose it the day before his final defeat at Waterloo.
Napoleon died in exile on St Helena in 1821, and his remains weren’t returned to France until 1840.
Now laid to rest in Les Invalides in Paris, the angels that stand guard over Napoleon’s tomb were created by French neoclassical sculptor Jean Jacques Pradier, in tribute to Napoleon’s military achievements.
They remain in Napoleon’s crypt to this day; peaceful; protecting; eternal.
Now laid to rest in Les Invalides in Paris, the angels that stand guard over Napoleon’s tomb were created by French neoclassical sculptor Jean Jacques Pradier, in tribute to Napoleon’s military achievements.
They remain in Napoleon’s crypt to this day; peaceful; protecting; eternal.
As one of history’s great military minds, Napoleon’s strategic cunning is legendary. But it also believed he had a guardian angel; the lucky Angel Coin he carried in his pocket only to fatefully lose it the night before defeat at Waterloo.
A symbol of luck, a mis-placed charm, and the guardians of his final resting place; the Angel is a fitting design for this limited-edition silver proof coin marking the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Napoleon on the island of St Helena.
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FAQ
What is the difference between maximum mintage and issue limit?
Maximum mintage is the total number of individuals coins which will be struck, this includes coins presented is sets. The Issue limit refers to the number of coins which will be sold in the specific presentation.
What if the maximum mintage and issue limit is the same?
This means the coin will only be available in the presentation shown and will not be issued in any other way.
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Delivery & Returns
UK Standard Delivery: £9.95
See our delivery page for more information and overseas delivery. - Reviews
