France objects to "Waterloo" coin?

[Brian37]

I have to admit, all I know about that battle is that the dictator Napoleon lost that battle. So maybe someone with more of a history background dumb it down for me and explain why the French would object to a coin noting the defeat of a dictator? I guess I am missing something here.

http://popist.com/s/9b86f13/

[Pyrrho]

It is celebrating a French defeat. That is why they don't like it.

[Crossless2.0]

I'd be curious to know if this is a sentiment shared throughout France or if it is something that resonates only with the far right. I have a hard time believing that dyed-in-the-wool republicans would get their panties in a twist over a commemoration of Napoleon's downfall on a coin, though I suppose one must make allowances for nationalist pride, however misplaced it might be in this case.

[Jenny A]

I don't think I blame the French on this one. I doubt many countries would like to use coinage depicting the defeat of their country in battle unless they look on the battle as a victory for their country in the form of the over throw of a despot. Anyone in the U.S. for an evacuation from Vietnam coin? Brits, how about a Charge of the Light Brigade coin?

[Crossless2.0]

I don't think I blame the French on this one.  I doubt many countries would like to use coinage depicting the defeat of their country in battle unless they look on the battle as a victory for their country in the form of the over throw of a despot.  Anyone in the U.S. for an evacuation from Vietnam coin?  Brits, how about a Charge of the Light Brigade coin?

I, for one, wouldn't mind the "Evacuation from Saigon" commemorative coin.  Apparently we Americans need all the reminders we can get when it comes to disastrous, wasteful foreign policy blunders.

[Jenny A]

I don't think I blame the French on this one.  I doubt many countries would like to use coinage depicting the defeat of their country in battle unless they look on the battle as a victory for their country in the form of the over throw of a despot.  Anyone in the U.S. for an evacuation from Vietnam coin?  Brits, how about a Charge of the Light Brigade coin?

I, for one, wouldn't mind the "Evacuation from Saigon" commemorative coin.  Apparently we Americans need all the reminders we can get when it comes to disastrous, wasteful foreign policy blunders.

We do, but I doubt you're ever going to see that coin. . .

[Minimalist]

Actually rather than a dictator losing a battle what really happened is that the reactionary empires of Europe won one and set back the cause of human rights by a century.  France, alone of the European powers, kept throwing out its royalty in favor of republics...and they finally got it right.  But the point is, they kept trying.

[Brian37]

It is celebrating a French defeat.  That is why they don't like it.

So? The French would prefer to stay under the rule of a dictator? That makes no fucking sense considering they were thrilled the Allies freed them from Nazi Germany. I cant wrap my head around that logic. Napoleon was no hero. He was an opportunist. If I were French I would celebrate his defeat.

[LastPoet]

I know Napoleon*, he is a good chap.

Also, the French are not to be trusted.

[Minimalist]

One again, timing is everything.  Just got this from The Smithsonian.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/we...rch&no-ist

If Napoleon had remained emperor of France for the six years remaining in his natural life, European civilization would have benefited inestimably. The reactionary Holy Alliance of Russia, Prussia and Austria would not have been able to crush liberal constitutionalist movements in Spain, Greece, Eastern Europe and elsewhere; pressure to join France in abolishing slavery in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean would have grown; the benefits of meritocracy over feudalism would have had time to become more widely appreciated; Jews would not have been forced back into their ghettos in the Papal States and made to wear the yellow star again; encouragement of the arts and sciences would have been better understood and copied; and the plans to rebuild Paris would have been implemented, making it the most gorgeous city in the world.


Napoleon deserved to lose Waterloo, and Wellington to win it, but the essential point in this bicentenary year is that the epic battle did not need to be fought—and the world would have been better off if it hadn’t been.

Vive L'Empereur!