BEHIND THE CRAFT
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Behind the Craft - Napoleon Bee

When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, he wanted to replace the remnants of the fallen Bourbon dynasty, including the Fleur de Lys. He learned about the discovery of the tomb of Childeric I, king of the Merovingian Franks, and the 300 tiny gold bees that were found buried alongside his remains as a symbol of immortality.

The bee is symbolic of harmony, working together for a bigger cause. Napoleon recognised these important characteristics and used golden bees on his Coat of Arms, the motifs stitched into his coronation robe and the patterns on the wallpaper and carpets of his palaces.

FG21NABSP1OZ

2021 Napoleon Bee Design 1oz Silver Proof Coin

ONLY 1000 COINS WORLDWIDE

To mark the 200th Anniversary of Napoleon’s death, we pay tribute to the humble icon that symbolised his mighty Empire: the golden bee.

The East India Company - Collections

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The Bee takes centre stage on this anniversary coin, which captures the natural beauty of this symbol of industry and harmony that connected Napoleon’s new Empire to the kings of ancient French history. A swarm of bees is picked out in Proof frosting while a single bee forms a punctuation point in the coin’s outer circle, positioned opposite the East India Company mint mark.
•A strictly limited edition of just 1,000 coins worldwide
•Struck in gleaming 999 fine silver to our highest Proof quality finish
•Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet
•Exclusive new 200th anniversary ‘Bee’ design

Product Detail

The Bee takes centre stage on this anniversary coin, which captures the natural beauty of this symbol of industry and harmony that connected Napoleon’s new Empire to the kings of ancient French history. A swarm of bees is picked out in Proof frosting while a single bee forms a punctuation point in the coin’s outer circle, positioned opposite the East India Company mint mark.
•A strictly limited edition of just 1,000 coins worldwide
•Struck in gleaming 999 fine silver to our highest Proof quality finish
•Bespoke presentation case and storytelling booklet
•Exclusive new 200th anniversary ‘Bee’ design

Specification

  • Alloy

    Fine Silver - 999Ag

  • Denomination

    £1

  • Weight

    1oz

  • Authority

    St Helena

  • Diameter

    38.61mm

  • Edge

    Milled

  • Issue limit

    1000

  • Total Mintage

    1000

Stories

Napoleon’s Bees;
Harmony, Industry, Immortality

After Napoleon’s final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 he was exiled to St Helena, a peaceful island owned by the East India Company, used as a stopping off point on voyages between India and the UK.

He lived on the island at Longwood House until his death in 1821, when he was buried under a willow tree in the garden. A simple gravestone marked the spot, with none of the fanfare or tributes that the once mighty Emperor might have expected.
While he may have been buried in St Helena, Napoleon’s wish was to be laid to rest “on the banks of the Seine, among the French people I have loved so much.” His wish was granted in 1840, when his remains were returned to France.

Huge crowds witnessed the procession from the port of Le Havre to Napoleon’s final resting place at Les Invalides in Paris, a triumphant return that saw Napoleon’s coffin transported by a horse drawn cortege upon which, according to newspaper reports, “on both sides hung two velvet imperial mantles, sprinkled with bees.”

Napoleon Bonaparte built an Empire across Europe before defeat at Waterloo in 1815 saw him exiled to St Helena, a peaceful island owned at the time by the East India Company. He lived out his final years on St Helena until his death in 1821.

To mark the 200th Anniversary of Napoleon’s death, we pay tribute to his final years spent on the island of St Helena and celebrate the tiny icon that came to symbolise his mighty Empire: the humble but powerful bee.

  • FAQ

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