325, Lot: 858. Estimate $150. Sold for $180. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

FRANCE, Premier Empire. 1804-1814. Æ Offstrike Medal (68mm, 137.50 g, 12h). The Decennial Prize in Science, Literature, and Fine Arts, December 1810. By B. Andrieu. Struck before 1832. Laureate head of Napoléon I left; ANDRIEU F. on truncation, DENON D. below / PREMIER DECADE DU DIX-NEUVIEME SIECLE., Minerva seated left, holding wreath in outstretched hand and second wreath on lap; to right, garlanded altar with eagles at corners surmounted by palm fronds and wreaths; base inscribed ANDRIEU F.; L’EMPEREUR NAPOLEON A DÉCERNÉ/LE Cte. MONTALIVET Mtre. DE L’INTÉRIEUR/DÉCEMBRE M•DCCCX in three lines in exergue. Bramsen 985. Near EF, brown surfaces.

By a decree of 7 August 1804, Napoleon established decennial prizes, which were to consist of a gold medal of 2500 francs’ value for the best production in literature, science, and fine art. Initially meant to coincide with the tenth anniversary of 18 Brumaire 1799 (Napoleon’s assumption of power as First Consul), the event was deferred to the end of the following year, but did not take place even then.