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France. Commemorative Medal of the War of 1870–1871, 1911
The Commemorative Medal of the War of 1870–1871 was established by the law of 9 November 1911 to honor the surviving veterans of the Franco-Prussian War. Through this award, the French Republic officially recognized the service of approximately 242,500 veterans who were still alive more than forty years after the conflict.
The obverse bears the inscription “REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” together with the name of the engraver, Georges Lemaire. The reverse is inscribed “1870 1871 AUX DÉFENSEURS DE LA PATRIE” (“To the Defenders of the Fatherland”).
Measure 30 mm.
The creation of the medal was championed by Senator Maurice Berteaux, and the proposal was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on 3 July 1911 and by the Senate on 12 July 1911.
The medal was suspended from a ribbon striped in black and green: black symbolizing mourning for the losses and defeat suffered during the war, and green representing hope for the recovery of Alsace and Lorraine.
Original French medal commemorating the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871.
