Description

Medal commemorating the opening of the Suez Canal on 17 November 1869.

On the obverse is a female figure seated with an olive wand in her right hand and a torch in her left hand upraised. Another female figure is standing with a lamp in her right hand. There is a cogged wheel and a map of the canal on a wall behind. Round the edge is the inscription “L’EPARGNE FRANÇAISE PREPARE LA PAIX DV MONDE” (French economy prepares the peace of the world). On the reverse round the edge is the inscription: “COMPAGNE VNIVERELLE DV CANAL MARITIME DE SVEZ” (The Universal Company of the Suez Sea Canal). In the centre is the inscription:

LE

17 NOVEMBRE

1869

LE CANAL MARITIME

A ETE OUVERT

A LA

GRANDE NAVIGATION

(On 17 November 1869 the sea canal was opened for grand navigation)