Description
The Napoleonic Egg was made for Dowager Empress Maria Fyodorowna in 1912. The Tsarina of Russia served as honorary colonel for the six regiments depicted in watercolor, and her monogram decorates the back of each panel. The Egg was designed in order to commemorate the centenary of Russia’s victory over the armies of Napoleon and in particular the victory at Borodino in 1812. This piece of art celebrates past royal glories while appealing to Russian patriotism at a time when the Romanov dynasty once again faced the uncertainties of war.
Obverse
At the bottom - open Spring Flowers Egg (1899-1903) with a miniature basket of wood anemones inside. Above - the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with the mint mark (m/w) and the inscription “ELIZABETH II” below. Around the Queen’s effigy - decorative neo rococo scroll ornament. At the top - the issuer’s name: NIUE ISLAND. On the right - the face value (100 dollars), on the left - the year of issue (2012).
Reverse
In the central part - a stylized image of the original "Napoleonic Egg ". At the top, along the edge - the name of the series in English: IMPERIAL FABERGE EGGS. At the bottom - depicted in pad printing, a fragment of the six Russian regiments fighting against Napoleon’s army.
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