The Obverse showns a maiden, representing the innocence, prosperity and liberty of France paying tribute to the crosses of the dead within the ring of the Verdun ouvrages and trench system, stylized as a fortified wall. The reverse shows the tree of life, surrounded by the flowers of the nation, attended by watchful birds. Upon the trunk of the tree in larg letters is the word PAIX (Peace) and the following legend: AVX HOMMES DE BONNE VOLONTE (Peace Unto These Men of Good Will). The legend is reference to the grand, sprawling novel of Jules Romains called Les Hommes de bonne volonté (The Men of Good Will) which has the battle of Verdun set as it’s 2 volume centerpiece. The final volume of Les Hommes de bonne volonté was published in 1946, the 50th anniversary of the battle of Verdun.
This uncirculated bronze medal comes with its original black leather pocket case.
This unattributed medal was struck as a displayable compliment to a French Medal of Honor and is listed as being for the Officer Corps and appropriate for Commanders and other Dignitaries.
Listed in Krause’s Standard Catalog of World Coins as KM-43.
By Jean Dassier, Swiss medalist and official engraver for Geneva from 1720-1763. AE 41mm. Composition: White Metal. Obv: Bust of Edward I, in armor, mantle and a crown, facing three-quarters left. Legend: EDOUARD . I . D . G. ANG . ET .HIB . REX. (Edward I, by the grace of God, King of England and Ireland). Rev: A circular temple with three niches containing statues of Minerva (for Edward’s wisdom and military genius), Prudence and Hercules (an allusion to the magnitude and variety of Edward’s enterprizes). At one side History is recording Edward’s deeds while two onlookers admire the monument on the other side. Exergue: NAT. 1230 . COR. 1272. MORT. 1307. (Born 1230, crowned 1272, died 1307).
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