Russia (France) Uniface Trial Porcelain Medal 1896 - Foundation of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris, 25 September (7 October) 1896

935.85g. 236mm. UNC/UNC. Small chip at 6h on reverse. 

Medalier: Jean-Baptiste Daniel-Dupuis.

Diakov 1320.1 (for prototype). 

Extremely rare (Possibly unique). 

Obv.: Athena and Dionysus reclining under a tree; Dionysus holds a scroll with commemorative text wrapped around the branches; in the background, the newly planned Pont Alexandre III. 

Inscription in field: 

SA MAJESTÉ NICOLAS II EMPEREUR DE TOUTES LES RUSSIES SA MAJESTÉ L'IMPÉRATRICE ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA FÉLIX FAURE PRÉSIDENT DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE ONT POSÉ À PARIS LA PREMIÈRE PIERRE DU PONT ALEXANDRE III MÉLINE ÉTANT PRÉSIDENT DU CONSEIL 

(His Majesty Nicholas II, Emperor of All the Russias, Her Majesty Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, and Félix Faure, President of the French Republic, laid the first stone of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris, Méline being President of the Council). 

This uniface porcelain medal reproduces the reverse design of the bronze medal by Jean-Baptiste Daniel-Dupuis, struck for the laying of the first stone of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris on 25 September (7 October) 1896. The event symbolized Franco-Russian friendship and honored the memory of Emperor Alexander III, after whom the bridge was named.