France, Iii And V Republics. Two Decorations & Awards

Includes:

1. Third Republic (1870-1951): St. Helena Medal, Bronze Grade (Médaille de Sainte-Hélène). Instituted in 1857. In bronze, hallmarked with an anchor on the obverse, measuring 31.3 mm (w) x 50.8 mm (h) inclusive of its crown and laterally-pierced ball suspension, original ribbon.

2. Fifth Republic (1962-on): Order of the Legion of Honour, V Class Knight (Ordre de la Légion d'Honneur, Chevalier). Instituted in 1802. In silver with blue, white and green enamels, both centrepieces in silver gilt, hallmarked with the head of Minerva on the tip of the ribbon on the obverse, measuring 43.3 mm (w) x 62.5 mm (h) inclusive of its wreath and laterally-pierced ball suspension, both sides with chipping and crazing evident in the white enamels on all five arms, along with loss of the green enamels on the wreath in multiple locations, intact enamels, original ribbon with a white cloth ownership tag inscribed in blue ink "RATHIER" sewn in place on the reverse.

Together, extremely fine.

Footnotes:

1. The St. Helena Medal was instituted on August 12, 1857 by Napoleon III, for issue to all surviving French and foreign soldiers, from the land armies or naval fleets, who served the Republic or the Empire between the years 1792 and 1815. It is believed that 405,000 medals were issued.

2. The Legion of Honour (AKA National Order of the Legion of Honour) is the highest French order of merit for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte. The order's motto is "Honneur et Patrie" ("Honour and Fatherland") and its seat is the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur next to the Musée d'Orsay, on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris. The order is divided into five degrees of increasing distinction: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand-Croix (Grand Cross).