Page 23 - The Lugdunum Auction 21

A symbol of the birth of the French Nation

This exceptional silver medal was struck
to commemorate the end of the Hundred
Years’ War, following the French victory
at the Battle of Castillon in 1453, and the
resulting expulsion of the English from
the French territory. It is considered as
one of the first French medals ever min-
ted.

It is sometimes called Calaisienne, as a
reference to the city of Calais that stay-
ed the last English possession on French
Territory.

Illustration of the French victory at the battle of Castillon, 1453

This medal can be seen as a medal of honour given, probably by the King himself, to its most loyal knights
for their bravery during the last and most epic battles of the Hundred Years’ War.

It belongs to a series of eight different types of Calaisiennes struck between 1451 and 1460. A detailed
study of these medals was published by Auguste Vallet de Viriville (1815-1868), a French historian and
specialist of the Hundred Years’ War, in the Annuaire de la Société française de numismatique et d’archéo-
logie in 1867. While quite dated, this study is still today a reference work on these exceptional medals.

An ode to Charles VII, the Victorious

The legends on the obverse can be translated as
follows:
“After having conquered peace with the sword, you
maintain it through your great justice, most Chris-
tian King, you control your troops with discipline,
may you reign for ever, doing these famous acts / If
you want to know the period in which this medal
was made, look at the letter numbers in the word
HIC and back to the beginning of this present and
last verse”

The legends on the reverse can be translated as fol-
lows:
“ Possessing the paternal Kingdom, keeping the lilies
(Fleur de lys) in peace, having chased away the ene-
my, King Charles VII live and reign, redoubtable to
the rebellious, just to those who have submitted to
your authority, towards the enemy, strong and firm
in your word ”
Charles VII, 1422-1461