Jérôme Napoleon, 1784-1860 [obverse] 1860

This medal, bearing the likeness of Jérôme Napoleon, was crafted by Albert-Désiré Barre in the 19th century. It combines the precision of die-striking with the finesse of hand-tooling. Consider the choice of materials. Gold, with its inherent value and association with power, elevates this portrait from simple memento to a statement of status. The sharp, clean lines of Napoleon’s profile speak to the engraver's skill, but also to the efficiency of minting – a proto-industrial process designed for mass production. It’s no accident that Napoleon, a figure synonymous with ambition and control, is rendered with such exactitude. The medal is more than just a portrait; it's a reflection of a society undergoing rapid transformation. The mechanization of craft processes like this made luxury goods available to a wider public, even as the elite continued to prize unique, handmade objects. Ultimately, it reminds us that even seemingly simple objects carry complex social and cultural meanings.