FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR ORDER MEDAL - COMMANDER - SECOND EMPIRE

Description

T
his striking medal is a faithful reproduction  of the French Legion of Honor -  in full the National Order of the Legion of Honor (
Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur
)
.
It is
France
’s highest award for military and civil merit.  The order was established in
1802 by  Emperor
Napoléon Bonaparte.
This is a replica of the fourth model (1808-1809) of the medal.  It measures 85 mm from the top of the crown to the bottom and 60 mm across. It weighs 52 grams (1.8 Oz.).  It comes with 24 inches ( two feet) of  the correct red ribbon (unfinshed - ends not sewn) for attachment through the ring on top of the crown.  The crown is "articulated" like the originals.  It is a superb replica.
The front of the five-armed “Maltese Asterisk” (star) has a profile of Emperor Napoleon in a gold medallion ringed  by the words “
Republic
Française
.”
The reverse has the Imperial Eagle of the Second Empire in the center medallion and the motto “
Honneur et Patrie
(Honor and Fatherland) of the Order.
This is the medal for the grade,
Commander
.