1919 Bronze Medal Woodrow Wilson at French Parliament By Bottee to Pierre Laval
Description: A nice bronze medal from 1919. The medal commemorates President Wilson's speech to the French Assembly and Senate on February 3, 1919 while in France to negotiate the treaty of Versailles at the end of WWI. This particular medal was awarded to Pierre Laval as indicated by his name on the reverse. Laval, who was a politician at the time became the head of the French Government in 1942 and collaborated with the Germans during their occupation of France in WWII. He was summerly tried and executed by the French in October 1945. The medal depicts the bust of president Wilson facing left on the obverse with 9 stars behind his head and 4 stars above it. There is also a laurel branch beneath his chin as well as a dolphin below his neck with the name L. Bottee at 5 o'clock. The name WOODROW WILSON PRESIDENT is shown along the edge of the obverse. The reverse, has Circumferential inscription set within a band "LA CHAMBRE DES DEPUTES RECOIT DANS LA SALLE DES SEANCES. The center of the reverse shows two women (France and the US) looking at each other while walking with the image of the facade of the national assembly building above them. The legend "LE PRESIDENT DES STTS_UNIS LE 3 FEVRIER 1919" in front of the women. There is also the name of Laval (Pierre) Seine in a rectangle below the image of the women. The medal was designed by Louis Alexander Bottee and was struck by the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint). It is marked on the edge with the word BRONZE and a Cornucopia. The bronze medal measures ~68 millimeters, and weighs ~140 grams and has a beautiful age patina. A great looking and very interesting medal commemorating an important historic event with very interesting provenance. Please carefully review the photos as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1919.
Origin: France.
Reference: American Numismatic Society 1919. 2008.62.2.
Artist: Louis Alexander Bottee.Weight and Size: The medal weighs ~140 grams, is ~68 millimeters in diameter, and ~4 millimeters thick at the edge. Maker: Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris)Marks: Marked with the name "L. Bottee" at the edge of the obverse along the edge at 5 o'clock and on the reverse in exergue to the right L. Bottee. It also has the Cornucopia followed by the word "BRONZE" along the edge.Condition: The medal is in excellent condition and I would grade it uncirculated. The medal has no observable wear with minimum surface marks or scratches. It has what I view as nice age patina or toning and is problem free. A great medal to add to your collection. Please view photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of the piece.
