I have a French Medallion from the Italian war campaign of 1859. That is all I know about this medallion. Does anyone here have one or know the history and value.
Reverse rim says 'Triumphant entry of the army (Italian campaign) into Paris 14th August' Reverse centre 'Napoleon III departed May 10, entered Milan on June 6th' I think it says something like 'The two Emperors were together at Villa-Franca on the 11th and 12th of July'? Was awarded for the Italian campaign of 1859 during the Franco-Austrian war or the Italian Second War of Independence. The above example is priced up at $130
Bobby, I have only one minor correction to make. The artist's name is Armand Auguste Caque. It is very common on French medals to see the letter "F" preceding (or following) the artist's name. It stands for "Fecit" which is Latin and translates roughly to "He made it". Chris
I like the green patina, but the rims are beat up and it's worn as if it were circulation coinage. I find that odd for a medal.
I honestly have no idea how my grandfather got it. It was passed down three generations, that I know of, to me. Not sure how the damage came about.
It may have been a pocket piece - something awarded to a soldier which he then carried around as a memento, mixed in with the rest of his change.
I don't think it was a kind of traditional medal intended for the 'common' troops, I think they got this: Becca's seems a lot rarer than these ribboned medals. Dont know much about medals, who would get a larger non ribboned medal? It is quite battered, grand-kids could explain that though :smile :thumb::thumb:
How else would you explain all the wear, other than the grandkid theory? - which isn't bad btw - I have four kids and they break everything. :heated:
