The defeat and abdication of Napoleon was followed by the Peace of Paris, signed 23 Apr. and confirmed 30 May, 1814, between Louis XVIII. and the Allies, Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia. 552. The Waterloo Medal designed by Pistrucci. _Obv._ Jugate busts l., laur., of the Prince Regent, Francis II., Emperor of Austria, Alexander I., Emperor of Russia, and Frederick William III., King of Prussia; on either side, Justice l., and Hercules r., seated; above, the Sun in quadriga l., preceded by Castor and Pollux, and followed by Iris and Zephyrus; beneath, Night in Biga r.; before her, the Furies; behind her, the Fates, PISTRUCCI. _Rev._ Wellington and Blucher on horseback l., guided by Victory between them; Wellington gallops in advance, and Blucher rushes to his aid; above, Jupiter in quadriga, facing, hurling thunderbolt at giants arranged in circle, PISTRUCCI. Copper. Size 5·3. By B. Pistrucci.[40] [40] Benedetto Pistrucci, born at Rome 1784 of good family, his father being Judge of the High Criminal Court at Rome, began at the early age of twelve to study the art of gem and cameo cutting, and acquired such proficiency that before he was sixteen his works were often disposed of by dealers as antiques. In 1815 Pistrucci came to England, and two years later, upon the death of T. Wyon, was appointed Chief Engraver to the Mint, being immediately engaged on the new silver and gold coinage, having for the reverse type the St. George and Dragon. For some time after the accession of George IV., Pistrucci was engaged on a coinage for the new reign, which, having finished, he was promoted in 1828 to the post of Chief Medallist to the Mint, W. Wyon being appointed his successor as Chief Engraver. From this period till 1849 Pistrucci was engaged on the dies of the Waterloo medal, occasionally relieving the monotony of the work by the production of a large number of gems and medals, among the latter being the Coronation Medal of Victoria, a medal of the Duke of Wellington, one for the Royal Humane Society, &c. &c. He died in 1855. This medal was executed in pursuance of an order given by the Prince Regent in 1819, who desired to commemorate the battle of Waterloo by the production of a medal of surpassing magnitude and beauty. It was intended for presentation to each of the allied sovereigns as well as to the two commanders, Wellington and Blucher; but this object failed, as Pistrucci, who was directed to execute the work, did not accomplish the task till 1st January, 1849, and Wellington then alone survived. This medal has not been issued, as the dies have never been hardened; but it has been reproduced by the electro process, of which the above is an example.