1811 Loge de St. Jean, Masonic medal

elverno · April 7, 2004 2:36PM

This piece is in the process of being researched. The respected reference on Napoleonic medals, Bramsen, lists this as entry number 1148. Unlike 99.9% of the thousands of pieces listed this one has a question mark next to the name. I have a friend in England who is researching it in his copy of Marvin's Medals of the Masonic Fraternity, a book that only had 160 copies made in 1882. This piece also comes from the collection of Prince Victor Napoleon which was sold in 1975.

I love our hobby!

Placid · April 7, 2004 3:18PM

The eagle looks like it is peeing.

1jester · April 7, 2004 6:22PM

Vern, it's always a pleasure seeing selections from the world's foremost medal collection!!!

laurentyvan · April 7, 2004 10:17PM

Extremely appealing medal vern!

Fascinating pedigree- This piece also comes from the collection of Prince Victor Napoleon and to be in the "still being researched" mode makes it even more interesting.

I really like the look, some wear but very attractive; why does the slight clip at 12:00 on the obverse not show on the reverse? Or is that obverse rim damage only?

elverno · April 8, 2004 1:45AM

The clip is more obvious on the obverse than the reverse, not sure why. Also, while it's definitely wear on the obverse the reverse has more of the look of a weak strike combined with wear.

This is probably a Paris loge (or lodge in English) and may have been one where men and women were both members. There were very few of them, as most people probably know freemasonry is a fraternity or brotherhood and mixed lodges are no longer part of the organization.