COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF SAINT HELENA, model 1857, bronze model, Second Empire. 20742
Obverse presenting the profile of Emperor Napoleon I, reverse bearing the text: “Campaigns from 1792 to 1815. To his companions in glory, his last thought, May 5, 1821”, upper part in the shape of an imperial crown. Green silk ribbon with red vertical stripes.
H 51 mm, Diameter 31 mm.
Presented in an old frame with curved glass.
France.
Second Empire.
Very good state.
NOTE :
Considered the first French “commemorative medal” for veterans of the campaigns of the First Empire, designed and created by the sculptor Désiré-Albert Barre.
It is estimated that around 405,000 soldiers of Napoleon's Grande Armée (French, Belgians, Danes, Irish, etc.) benefited. The figures are approximate due to the disappearance of the archives in the fire of the Palace of the Legion of Honor during the Commune.
Reference :
20742