1870 French Silver Commemorative Medal of Napoleon III – Valence Agricultural Exhibition

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⚠️ Important: This is not a circulating coin, but an official commemorative award medal (médaille), designed by the engraver Barre. This 1870 French silver medal combines Napoleon III’s imperial portrait with an agricultural award design connected to Valence.

Basic Information

• Year: 1870 (the final year of the Second French Empire, the year the Franco-Prussian War broke out)
• Issuing Authority: French Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce
• Purpose: Awarded to a Commissaire (exhibition commissioner) at an agricultural competition in the Valence region. The central reverse inscription records both the event’s location and the role recognized by the award.
• Diameter: 41–42 mm
• Weight: Approximately 36 g
• Material: Silver

Obverse：A right-facing portrait of Napoleon III wearing a laurel wreath, with the inscription “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR” and the engraver’s signature, “BARRE,” at the bottom. The profile forms the focal point of this side, while the laurel leaves and surrounding lettering frame the portrait. The signature provides a further detail for collectors interested in the engraver’s work.

Reverse：A wreath woven from wheat stalks, flowers, and fruits; the outer inscription reads “MINISTÈRE DE L'AGRICULTURE ET DU COMMERCE,” with the text “VALENCE 1870 / COMMISSAIRE” in the center. The botanical motifs reflect the agricultural theme, contrasting with the formal imperial portrait on the obverse. The wreath draws attention to the central lettering, bringing the place, year, and commissioner’s role together within the design.