Reference:3943 Captain's Baudin's Voyage of Discovery to the Southern Hemisphere, 1801

Uniformed bust of Napoleon Bonaparte, left. Legend around, proclaiming Bonaparte as the First Consul of the French Republic; and inscription below the bust recording this expedition of discovery. Reverse: A six-line inscription referring to the corvettes Geographer and Naturaliste commanded by Captain Baudin. Silver, 38 mm. (1.55 inches), by P.A. Montagny.

Condition: Good extremely fine, and an outstanding example. A small vertical die flaw behind the head, and the tell-tale signs of die bulging on the reverse - neither of which affect the eye appeal of this medal - are present on all examples.

Notes: Amongst the work carried out by Captain Nicolas Baudin on his epic voyage was the exploration of the south and south-west coasts of Australia. Much of the ground had allegedly been gone over by Matthew Flinders, and the French were said to have claimed credit for discoveries really made by the English navigator. Baudin's expedition was recorded by the French navigator Louis de Freycinet, who had joined it as a twenty-two year-old in 1800. Pierre Antoine Montagny produced various medals under Napoleon and Louis XVIII. The minor flaws on this medal suggest that the dies did not have a long life, and account for the scarcity of examples in copper, and the great rarity of those in silver. This example may well be that from the celebrated Milford Haven collection, sold by Sotheby's in London on 24 November 1919 (Lot 14, and illustrated on Plate I of the catalogue). Would you please note that you are in the ARCHIVE page of the website, where all sold items are placed. For items that are still available, please go to the menu opposite and click on MEDALS & MEDALLIC ART.