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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;robinjojo, post: 8287816, member: 110226&quot;]During the Franco Prussian war, 1870-1871, the French, and I assume the Prussians used messenger pigeons and hot air balloons to facilitate military communications.</p><p><br /></p><p>When visiting my local coin shop in San Jose a few years ago, I saw this French medal in the display case.&nbsp; Buying it was no-brainer, or I should say non-brainer.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is a large silver medal (61mm, 116.6 grams), marked &quot;Argent&quot; on the edge.&nbsp; There were also medals of this design in bronze. This medal commemorates the aerial communications of the Ministry of War during this war, which included as sequel, the bloody revolution in Paris, known as the Commune of Paris (more of that later when I post my 5 francs issued by the Commune).&nbsp; I assume that this medal was produced in or shortly after 1871.</p><p><br /></p><p>Depicted on the first side is what I think is a personification of France, sitting next to a cannon in a battlement or fort, arms outstretched to receive a messenger pigeon, a hot air balloon is to the right, Paris 1870-1871 in the exergue.</p><p><br /></p><p>The second side has the legends MINISTERE DE LA GUERRE above and COMMUNICATIONS AERINNES in the exergue.&nbsp; The central design is a messenger pigeon in flight, and what seems to be the Arch de Triumph and fort to the left and a country village house or cottage to the right.&nbsp; There&#039;s also a blank central panel to accommodate engraving, which has been done to the example.&nbsp; I have seen others with blank panels, so perhaps engraving is the exception for this medal.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1464568[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>If anyone has more information about this medal, I would appreciate the input.</p><p><br /></p><p>Thank you.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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