Obverse legend "To the French people, defender, liberator and sovereign of France". Reverse says "In commemoration of the laudable and cheerful efforts of the nation strong for Liberty, the reversal of the Monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Second_Republic Start of the Second Republic. I think they are up to about the fifth republic by now
That is very cool. With medals or old coins like these, I tend to imagine who once held this? What type of person was he? and questions so on.