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Joachim Murat (Joachim Napoleon) (1767–1815; Military Governor of Paris from 1804, Grand Duke of Berg and Cleves 1806, Titular King of Sicily and Naples 1808–15)

Loan
Datedated 1809
MediumGilt copper alloy, struck
DimensionsDiam.: 2 1/2 in. (6.28 cm)
Credit LineDr. Stephen K. and Janie Woo Scher Collection
Accession numberSCHER.2014.15.570
Commentary

In 1808, Napoleon issued an edict declaring Joachim Murat, one of his finest generals, king of Naples and Sicily (though Ferdinand III continued to rule Sicily under British protection) after transferring his brother Joseph, the previous king, to the Spanish throne. Murat, the husband of Bonaparte's youngest sister Caroline, took the name "Joachim Napoleon" upon ascension to the throne. Murat was responsible for a number of important reforms during his reign, including the introduction of the Napoleonic Code (or Code Civil).

Source: Scher, Stephen K., et al. The Scher Collection of Commemorative Medals. New York and London, 2019.  

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