Napoleon, King of Italy, Wearing Iron Crown of Monza 1805

This small medal portraying Napoleon was created by Luigi Manfredini, likely in the early 1800s, using a technique called striking. Striking involves hammering metal between two dies, creating a detailed impression. Look closely, and you'll see an incredible level of detail, especially in Napoleon’s hair and the Iron Crown of Monza. The method of striking has a long and important history. Originally, it was a hand-powered process, but it eventually became industrialized, and could be used to produce coins and medals on a mass scale. The very act of minting this medal, therefore, speaks to Napoleon’s ambition. Not only to conquer, but to control and standardize. Manfredini's skilled work elevates this object beyond mere propaganda. It invites us to consider the intersection of power, craft, and the industrializing world. It reminds us that even small objects can tell big stories about labor, politics, and the materials that shape our world.