FRANCE - FRANCE First Empire / Napoleon I (1804-1814). Gold medal, propagation of vaccinia, by Andrieu, Special strike (SP) MDCCCIV (1804), Paris. Av. NAPOLEON - EMP. AND KING. Laureate bust right; below, signature ANDRIEU F. and DENON DIRt. Rv. LA VACCINE / (date). Standing nude Venus receiving the accolade of Aesculapius in toga with a staff around which is wound a snake; to the left a cow and to the right a level and a syringe; signature ANDRIEU F. and DENON DIRt. Br.400 - Jul.1342 (Ag) - Ess.1056 (Br) ; Gold - 65.61 g - 40.5 mm - 12 h Top Pop: the only graded example! From the sale Leu 14, Monnaies et médailles napoléoniennes, 15 October 1975, Zurich, No. 142 with cover (with deferred price 7500 CHF). PCGS SP62 (55936626). In special mint with mirror fields and satin relief. Minimal bumping below level on reverse. Minor hairlines and fingerprints. Superb at Fleur de coin. In 1800, the Duke of La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt introduced vaccinia into France and the first trials were carried out in June of that year, using a fluid sent from London. On 4 April 1804, a Society for the Propagation of Vaccinia was formed.