Napoléonides

The napoléonides are coins.

The French revolution, after having initially used the Duodecimal system into force since centuries, decides to change some for the Decimal system, at the same time as a new Unit of Account, the Franc.

After the short episode of the Assignat, it is with the effigy of Bonaparte first Consul that is struck the first part of 1 Franc. The Napoleonean Guerres will spread, of liking or force, this new system through all the Europe, because the Empereur does not hesitate to impose it in all the States which he occupies, to create a first monetary Unit European.

The species thus emitted, called “napoléonides”, carry either of the portraits of the Emperor, or those of his close relations Jerome Bonaparte to Westphalia, Joseph Bonaparte in Spain, Joachim Murat with Naples… The introduction of the new monetary system was very badly felt in Westphalia. The local population very attached to its same currencies disparate and more complicated (Thaler, groschen or large sum of money tournaments) tested a quite comprehensible aversion towards a foreign Numéraire and so was hardly laid out to accept a new monetary system imposed by the force.

The rejection was such as, even Napoleon did not dare to impose the French system on the Spain, with Barcelona, the Provinces of Illyrie, like with the territories of Germany of North too accustomed to the currencies of Hamburg. This attempt at monetary union ends up falling through.

After the death of the Emperor and the dismemberment of the Empire, the Decimal system remained in place and continued to gain ground in Europe. It will be set up by the duchy of Parma (1815), the kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia (1816), the Belgium (1832), the Suisse (1850)…

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