All right, Elverno -- What do I have?
Askari
Posts: 3,713 ✭
Every once and a while I see something, skip over it, but then feel "called back." This is one such "medal" -- one with a poor image. Since it was calling my name, I decided to go for it. 
The seller's description was unusually helpful: "this unusual medal measures 1 inch. this is a very high grade condition example of this rare medal." -- which he was at least able to identify as an "1842 Unusual French Octagon Shaped Medal". I decided it was a Jeton in remarkable condition if from 1842 and not harshly polished. Anyway, it finally arrived, and I'd like to know if you can add anything to what I've surmised and comment regarding its scarcity.
It's 22mm across and appears to be made of brass (or bronze) and is very thin. The fields are surprisingly reflective -- almost proof-like. It appears to me to be a jeton commemorating the death of the Duke d'Orleans in 1842. The scene in the lozenge on the obverse is of a man laid out on a table in a chateau's kitchen/dining area with several men and a couple of kneeling women (nuns?) at the foot of the table. The obv. legend reads "Souvenir Deplorable du 13 Juillet 1842"; the long inscription on the reverse of this "Souvenir Deplorable" reads "Né A Palerme Le 3 Septembre 1810 / Connu / Morte A Neuilly Le 13 Juillet 1842 / Regrette De Ceux Qui L'Ont". My French is more deplorable than this jeton, but I'd translate this as "Born in Palermo 3 September 1810 / xxx / Died at Neuilly[-sur-Seine] 13 July 1842 / xxx."
A little Googling tells me this jeton commemorates Ferdinand-Louis-Philippe-Charles-Henri, the son of Louis-Philippe of France, who succeeded to the title of duc d’Orléans when his father became king (1830). He was a noted soldier and served in Algeria from 1834 to 1836. In 1837 he married Princess Helena of Mecklenburg. In 1839 he again went to Algeria, but the fatigues of the campaign were too much for him. He died at Neuilly-sur-Seine at the age of 31. (I feel tempted to ask to which campaign he succumbed to the fatigues of -- Algeria or Princess Helena -- but I won't.
)
The seller's description was unusually helpful: "this unusual medal measures 1 inch. this is a very high grade condition example of this rare medal." -- which he was at least able to identify as an "1842 Unusual French Octagon Shaped Medal". I decided it was a Jeton in remarkable condition if from 1842 and not harshly polished. Anyway, it finally arrived, and I'd like to know if you can add anything to what I've surmised and comment regarding its scarcity.It's 22mm across and appears to be made of brass (or bronze) and is very thin. The fields are surprisingly reflective -- almost proof-like. It appears to me to be a jeton commemorating the death of the Duke d'Orleans in 1842. The scene in the lozenge on the obverse is of a man laid out on a table in a chateau's kitchen/dining area with several men and a couple of kneeling women (nuns?) at the foot of the table. The obv. legend reads "Souvenir Deplorable du 13 Juillet 1842"; the long inscription on the reverse of this "Souvenir Deplorable" reads "Né A Palerme Le 3 Septembre 1810 / Connu / Morte A Neuilly Le 13 Juillet 1842 / Regrette De Ceux Qui L'Ont". My French is more deplorable than this jeton, but I'd translate this as "Born in Palermo 3 September 1810 / xxx / Died at Neuilly[-sur-Seine] 13 July 1842 / xxx."
A little Googling tells me this jeton commemorates Ferdinand-Louis-Philippe-Charles-Henri, the son of Louis-Philippe of France, who succeeded to the title of duc d’Orléans when his father became king (1830). He was a noted soldier and served in Algeria from 1834 to 1836. In 1837 he married Princess Helena of Mecklenburg. In 1839 he again went to Algeria, but the fatigues of the campaign were too much for him. He died at Neuilly-sur-Seine at the age of 31. (I feel tempted to ask to which campaign he succumbed to the fatigues of -- Algeria or Princess Helena -- but I won't.
)Askari
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Morte, would mean that the deceased duke is a she Askari.
DPOTD-1
It's a great medal though, probably not a jeton in the technical sense. I'll try looking it up in my references; Bramsen or d'Essling might list it. I can't see an obvious engraver so Forrer's unlikely to help.
Very nice, I'd have gone back and picked it up too!
You want how much?!!
NapoleonicMedals.org
(Last update 3/6/2007)
Yes, Vern, it really is ten-sided.
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Regrette De Ceux Qui L'Ont Connu
No biggie Mark, I was fooling around, it's just an extra i. Your French (and German and more) is perfect, especially for an American.
The phrase above means (in free translation, my house is under repair and I don't have any dictionaries in hand) "he will be missed by those who knew him" I guess, with the accent on the last e in regrette. The verb je regrette is a formal way of saying I'm sorry. Je regrette de ne pas avoir vu ce jeton avant vous Monsieur. Fantastique.
edit: an extra e, not i
DPOTD-1
In answer to your question, no, a proof-like medal or jeton from the period is usually an indication that it was restruck at a later period with better equipment and materials than the time. Your subject actually argues against that in this case. I'm sure folks did regret his passing but I doubt Vicky showed up for the funeral. Because of that it's not a strong candidate for restrikes. I've got an odd Louis XVIII mule that fits the same criteria (not the Vicky thing).
Even the stuff you see listed as AU or Unc in Napoleonic medals has a porous surface if the artificial patina has been cleaned off. I can see from your photos the beautifully reflective surfaces and incredible detail for a thin planchet. Usually the metal draws toward one side or the other and leaves the opposite side indistinct. If that had happened here the legends on the reverse would not be so easily readable. All in all a very satisfying medal.
As far as scarcity, it's easily the first I've ever seen. It could well have been commissioned by his family and friends and distributed to a very select group of folks. As such the strike is probably less than 30 pieces which fits in with the quality of the piece.
You want how much?!!
NapoleonicMedals.org
(Last update 3/6/2007)
<< <i>no, a proof-like medal or jeton from the period is usually an indication that it was restruck at a later period with better equipment and materials than the time. Your subject actually argues against that in this case. >>
That was my feeling as well. There are "seeds" of spotting that can be seen in hand that also strengthen my conviction that it is contemporary to the event. It wouldn't seem to be something someone would later restrike or recreate.
<< <i>As far as scarcity, it's easily the first I've ever seen. It could well have been commissioned by his family and friends and distributed to a very select group of folks. As such the strike is probably less than 30 pieces which fits in with the quality of the piece. >>
Again, my first impression on seeing it in hand was that it was specially prepared with great care. I believe that as the Duke of Orleans, he'd be the heir to the French throne, non? That would argue for the highest-quality product if made for well-born mourners and commissioned by someone very close to him. Seems like I may have a very nice find indeed ... for $11 of "risk money"!!
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