Not a specific release for the anniversary, this is more of a timely coincidence as Napoleon is the sixth in Coin Invest’s superb ‘Revolutionaries’ series. There’s a one ounce silver coin and a half-gram minigold. The former carries a startlingly realistic portrait for a coin, and the minigold has a lot of detail for a sub-14 mm diameter piece of metal. Both are impressive.

A striking coin from MDM, it’s shaped for, and depicts a younger Napoleon than is usually chosen, wearing his famous Bicorn hat. Even the obverse has had time and effort expended on it, so definitely one of our favourites in the selection brought to market. Packaging is a fairly large and decorated wooden box, as befitting a five ounce coin.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps was a series of five oil on canvas paintings by the French artist Jacques-Louis David between 1801 and 1805. It depicts Napoleon on horseback leading his army through the Great St Bernard Pass in May 1800. One of the most widely reproduced paintings of the man, the five versions differ in details like the colour of the cloak and the horse. The Mint of Poland has chosen the original painting That hangs in the Château de Malmaison. It’s hardly an ambitious coin, but the mint does digital colour well, and despite only weighing ten grams, it reaches out to the full crown size of 38.6 mm.

This coin is in the shape of a bicorn, Napoleon’s iconic headdress. On the reverse is depicted the grenadiers of the guard, on the left, representing the battles of the famous Great Army, while the allegory of justice, on the right, taken from the preface of the civil code, symbolises the civil reforms of this period. The link is made by the Legion of Honour, which acts as a pivot between the military and the civilian world by virtue of its status as a distinction for “both worlds”. The French cockade is also present. On the obverse, against a background of the sun of Austerlitz, various iconic symbols are depicted, such as the eagle, bees, laurels and the famous silhouette of the Emperor. A terrific release, encapsulating the man very well.

A nice looking design, issued for the island territory of St. Helena, the place where Napoleon died. Another depiction of a more youthful man, it’s packed with fine detail, and employs smartminting to full effect. The two ounce silver coin in particular has some prominent high relief, and the minigold maintains an exceptional level of detail for an 11 mm diameter coin. Hardly anybody can match CIT & BH Mayer for the quality of a minigold strike. The silver will be the most impressive variant in hand, we’re certain.

A cheaper set of three coins that, while issued for Napoleon’s bicentenary, actually commemorate the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. One of the most famous battles in European history, it cemented the Duke of Wellington’s reputation, and that of Marshall Blucher after the narrow defeat of Napoleoins forces. The battle ended Napoleon as a force and he was exiled to St. Helena soon after. The coins are relatively simple affairs. Each half ounce coin depicts one of the three commanders at Waterloo. The trio come in a neatly themed box.

This one depicts The coronation of Emperor Napoleon I and the coronation of Empress Josephine on 2 December 1804, a painting by the artist Jacques-Louis David exhibited in the Louvre. The obverse features a representation of the Louvre Pyramid and the building. Inside the pyramid, a key work of the museum: the Victory of Samothrace. A different view, not focused on his military exploits, it reminds us that Napoleon was not just another general, but a man with lofty ambitions. There’s lots on both faces of this one. Silver and gold versions, of course, but also a cheap (€6) base metal variant for the younger collector.

A late addition and a bit of a mystery at present, this five ounce silver coin takes inspiration from the same painting as the Mint of Poland issue, but is a more ambitious piece. The art occupies the top half of this expansive 80 mm diameter piece, with the bottom filled with a depiction of the building that now houses it, the Castle of Malmaison. It’s a high-relief strike, and has both colour and gilding, the latter for the cape. It’s a shame no effort was expended on the obverse, but a fine coin regardless. Boxed with a COA.

This two coin range is clearly based on the shaped Bicorn design, reproducing it on the reverse face, while the obverse has a mix of elements, including a background of the sun of Austerlitz. Several symbols of the regime are depicted, such as the eagle, bees, laurels and a silhouette of Napoleon.

The first time the Monnaie de Paris has issued a fractional gold set and it’s being released through MDM rather than directly. Just 250 sets will be produced and they include the portrait design you can see above, but in minigold, quarter ounce and one ounce forms. The icing on the cake is the beautiful silver medal which has the eagle standard on one side, and an effigy of Napoleon on the other. Terrific stuff.

“When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, he was keen to replace the remnants of the fallen Bourbon dynasty, including their emblem, the Fleur du Lys. He learned about the discovery of the tomb of Childeric I, king of the Merovingian Franks, and the 300 tiny gold bees that were found buried alongside his remains as a symbol of immortality. The bee is symbolic of harmony, working together for a bigger cause. Napoleon recognised these characteristics and used the golden bee in his Coat of Arms, coronation robes and on the wallpaper and carpets of his palaces. It was a key icon of an Empire which spread across Europe until Napoleon’ final defeat at Waterloo.”

A pretty coin, but one for the Napoleon afficionado who would understand the symbolism. That’s fine, as it makes a nice change from the usual depictions of the man himself, and the period was replete with such iconography. One of two variations on a theme from EIC.

The second variation from East India Company is a fundamentally identical design, except for the replacement of the bee with a symbolic ‘N’ for Napoleon. ‘Which you prefer will be a matter of personal taste, but the same mix of formats make up this range, and even the mintages are the same.

“On this side, we have represented the portrait of Napoleon with his laurel crown. Several strong symbols are depicted: the Legion of Honour instituted by Napoleon, the Eagle, the bees and the sun of Austerlitz. The words “2S” are inscribed inside it commemorating the date of the victory of the battle of Austerlitz, 2 December 1805, the “S” representing the month of December.”

The standard offering from the Monnaie de Paris, it includes the most numerous precious metal variant on offer. That coin is just 17 grams of 0.333 silver, so barel;y precious metal, but it does have a very low €12.00 price-tag, not far off the €10 denomination. It also comes in an attractive gatefold pack filled with information. For those wanting a bigger version of this nice design, there’s a 50 gram, 0.900 silver version.