Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Collector's Choice December 2021 Auction 30 Nov - 3 Dec 2021
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NEW CALEDONIA. France - New Caledonia. Compagnie des Messageries Maritimes Bronze Medal, 1952. Paris Mint. CHOICE UNCIRCULATED.
Ruedas-Unlisted. By R. B. Baron. Diameter: 59mm; Weight: 89.05 gms. Advertising New Caledonia and the Far East private field of the company. Obverse: Map of New Caledonia within rectangular border; two exotic birds above, two conch shells below; all within ornate border; Reverse: COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES, company arms; "CALEDONIEN" / 1952. Edge: [cornucopia] BRONZE. Charming bronze-brown surfaces, with some lighter green highlights around the devices.
Ruedas-Unlisted. By R. B. Baron. Diameter: 59mm; Weight: 89.05 gms. Advertising New Caledonia and the Far East private field of the company. Obverse: Map of New Caledonia within rectangular border; two exotic birds above, two conch shells below; all within ornate border; Reverse: COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES, company arms; "CALEDONIEN" / 1952. Edge: [cornucopia] BRONZE. Charming bronze-brown surfaces, with some lighter green highlights around the devices.
The Compagnie des messageries maritimes was founded in 1851 as a French merchant shipping company, ultimately reaching its zenith between the end of the Franco-Prussian War and the beginning of World War I--a period of rapid French colonial expansion. Though it had shipping operations throughout the world, the Far East had become the company's private field, with Saigon in Vietnam becoming one of its second home ports. This medal points to the Far East shipping dominion, analogous to other French art medals for passenger shipping lines and their various destination routes.
Estimate: $100 - $200