Watch List notes:

Commemorative Medals, Ballooning, France, the Siege of Paris, balloon flights, copper medals (3), each obv. a balloon and details and date of flight, revs. REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE - BALLON DU SIEGE DE PARIS: 'Le Guillaume Tell', 14 October 1870; 'Le Lafayette', 19 October 1870; 'Le Général Renault', 11 December 1870, each 29.5mm. (Malpas 48, 52, 68), the first mint state with much original colour; obverse of second fire(?) damaged, reverse very fine; the last good very fine, all rare (3)
During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the citizens of Paris sent out 66 balloon flights carrying mail and of these flights 38 were successful. The balloon flights and the success of the 'Pigeon Post' were the subject of a series of rare medals.
(80-120 GBP)