French military shooting and marksmanship prize medal, well worn, stamped ARGENT For Sale
$125.00
Item Description
French military shooting and marksmanship prize medal, well worn. Side stamped ARGENT, which indicates pure silver. This coin weighs 60 grams on my electronic scale. Dubois can be made out on the reverse. The name plate on the reverse has some faint letters, too faint to make out with any certainty.
Info below comes from Google search
- The Female Head: This is a classic allegory of the French Republic (Marianne, though sometimes interpreted as Gallia).
- The Helmet: She is depicted wearing a highly stylized military helmet, decorated with a laurel branch.
- The Spikes: The "spikes" you see near her neck are actually part of a rooster's head (the Gallic Rooster, a national symbol of France) facing forward from the base of her collar/helmet.
- Text: Typically marked "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" and signed "Henri Dubois".
- The "Hunting" Scene: Rather than hunting, this is a battlefield marksmanship scene honoring French soldiers.
- 3 Men Standing: In the background, three French infantry soldiers are in uniform with rifles. One of them is explicitly aiming and firing his rifle into the distance.
- 1 Man Sitting: In the foreground, a young, classical nude heroic figure (symbolizing a fallen soldier or the spirit of patriotism) sits upon a rock, holding a laurel victory wreath over an empty name-plate tablet where the winner's name could be engraved.
- Text: Usually bears the inscription "CONCOURS DE TIR / PRIX OFFERT PAR LE MINISTRE DE LA GUERRE" (Shooting Competition / Prize Offered by the Minister of War).
- Bronze versions generally trade between $30 to $80 USD depending on condition.
- Solid silver versions weigh roughly 63 grams and command a premium.
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