George III. 1760-1820. Silver Medal 1801, 28.20 g. Preliminaries for the Treaty of Amiens. Unsigned. Oval shield of the Union flag mounted on two crossed swords. PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE BETWEEN GREAT-BRITAIN AND FRANCE SIGNED OCOBER 1.ST 1801. Rv. Peace standing, empties her cornucopia on a quay; beyond, ships at sea. THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE. Plain edge. 38.4 mm. Eimer 935. BHM 516. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated. Hübsche Patina / Attractively toned.

Purchased from Seaby, London, May 1990, lot M90.

The Treaty of Amiens, signed on March 25, 1802, marked a temporary peace between France (under Napoleon Bonaparte) and Great Britain during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was a significant diplomatic agreement that brought a brief respite from the conflict that had engulfed Europe since 1792.

By 1801, both France and Britain were exhausted by nearly a decade of war. France had achieved dominance on the European continent, while Britain maintained control of the seas. Napoleon, now First Consul of France, sought to consolidate his gains and stabilize France’s position. Britain, facing economic strain and domestic discontent, was also eager for peace. Negotiations began in late 1801, with Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon’s brother) representing France and Lord Cornwallis representing Britain.