Russia (France, Paris mint) Bronze (Silvered) Medal 1896 – In memory of the foundation of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris, 25 September (7 October) 1896 – Nicholas II (1894–1917)

136.97g. 70mm. XF/XF+. 

Medalier: Jean-Baptiste Daniel-Dupuis (on obverse: DANIEL-DUPUIS at right; on reverse: DANIEL-DUPUIS at lower left).

Paris Mint. Edge mark: horn of plenty and BRONZE.

Diakov 1320.1 Ae - R1.

Obv.:

Under the radiating bust of Alexander III, draped in a mantle, three allegorical female figures—Russia (crowned, with the collar of the Order of St. Andrew and holding a hammer), France, and Paris—stand before a partially built bridge and a flag.

Inscription across field:

SUR LA BERGE HISTORIQUE AVANT QUE DE DESCENDRE,

S TON GÉNÉREUX CŒUR AUX CŒURS FRANÇAIS RÉPOND,

MÉDITE GRAVEMENT, RÊVE DEVANT CE PONT,

LA FRANCE LE CONSACRE À TON PÈRE ALEXANDRE.

(On this historic bank, before descending,

If your generous heart responds to the hearts of the French,

Ponder solemnly, dream before this bridge,

France dedicates it to your father Alexander.)

Rev.:

Athena and Dionysus reclining under a tree, Dionysus holding a scroll with commemorative text wrapped around 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

Félix Faure, President of the French Republic

Laid the first stone of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris

Meline being President of the Council)

This medal commemorates the ceremonial laying of the first stone of the Pont Alexandre III in Paris on 25 September (7 October) 1896. It symbolizes Franco-Russian friendship and honors the memory of Emperor Alexander III. The bridge was later inaugurated for the 1900 Paris Exposition and remains a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture.