Napoleon at Schönbrun 1809

This collection of medals, each just over an inch and a half in diameter, was created by Joseph-Francis Domard, who lived during the time of Napoleon. Crafted from a base metal alloy, the medals are die-struck. This means that a design is engraved into a hard metal die, which is then pressed onto the medal blank with great force. The result is a sharp, precise image, multiplied many times over. This was a mechanized process that allowed for mass production, and these medals would have been relatively affordable, extending Napoleon's reach to people from all walks of life. The designs include Napoleon himself, and other figures and symbols associated with his regime. Note the crisp lines, and the shallow relief of the designs – all characteristics of the die-striking process. By embracing this technology, Domard made these medals potent tools of propaganda, spreading Napoleon's image far and wide. They remind us that even small, seemingly insignificant objects can play a big role in shaping history.