v11_1511 - 20 francs or, Napoléon empereur buste intermédiaire 1804 Paris F.511/1

PREMIER EMPIRE / FIRST FRENCH EMPIRE

(18/05/1804-6/04/1814)

Napoleon Emperor bareheaded - intermediate bust

On May 18, 1804 (29 Prairial year 12), a senatus-consultum elevated the First Consul to the Empire; Bonaparte becomes Napoleon I, the Constitution of the year XII is promulgated. On December 2, 1804 (11 Frimaire, year 13), Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French at Notre-Dame by Pope Pius VII, who had traveled from Rome. The scene was immortalized by David (painting visible at the Louvre Museum in a new presentation).