This bronze medal, issued in 1888 by the Monnaie de Paris, was awarded during an agricultural fair ("Comice Agricole") held in Nogaro, Gers. It was created under the auspices of the French Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce to honor outstanding contributions to agriculture, a critical sector in the post-revolutionary Third Republic. The medal was designed by François Joseph Hubert Ponscarme (1827–1903), a renowned French sculptor and medalist known for his intricate and neoclassical designs.
Specifications:
- Obverse Design: The obverse features a left-facing profile of Marianne, the national emblem of the French Republic, wearing a Phrygian cap symbolizing liberty. Her hair is free-flowing, with wings at the temple, representing freedom and enlightenment. The inscription reads "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE." The design is signed by "H. PONSCARME."
- Reverse Design: The reverse is inscribed with "MINISTÈRE. DE. L'AGRICULTURE. ET. DU. COMMERCE // COMICE AGRICOLE / DE NOGARO / GERS. 1888." The design includes a circular legend around a cartouche, which is positioned on a background of a plow, a caduceus, wheat ears, and a vine branch, symbolizing agriculture, trade, and prosperity.
- Composition: Bronze
- Diameter: 50.5 mm
- Weight: 57.67 g
- Edge: Smooth ("lisse"), marked with "corne BRONZE," indicating the bronze material and authenticity from the Monnaie de Paris.
- Orientation: 12 h (medal alignment)
- Engraver: François Joseph Hubert Ponscarme, a master medalist of the late 19th century
- Punchmark: Corne BRONZE, confirming minting at the Monnaie de Paris
Condition:
- Grade: VF (Very Fine)
- Comments: The medal has a dark and varied patina, showing numerous marks and scratches on the obverse, reverse, and along the edge. Traces of oxidation are also present, adding to the aged appearance of this historical piece.
Historical Context: The Third Republic (1870–1940) in France followed the fall of the Second Empire and was marked by the establishment of democratic institutions and policies promoting education, economic development, and agricultural modernization. The government frequently organized agricultural fairs and competitions, awarding medals like this one to encourage advancements in farming practices and rural development. These awards were part of broader efforts to stabilize and boost the French economy, which heavily relied on agriculture during this period.
Significance: This medal is an important collector's item, reflecting the agricultural heritage and economic strategies of late 19th-century France. It offers historical insight into the significance of agriculture in French society and the Third Republic’s initiatives to support rural communities. Collectors and historians value such medals for their artistic design, historical relevance, and the stories they encapsulate about French agricultural traditions and civic pride.
