France Ecole Polytechnique Centenary 1894 bronze medal by Max Bourgeois. Much symbolism on the obverse: seated bare-breasted woman surrounded by products of science and engineering; airship, lighthouse, ship, railway viaduct, train, globe etc. In exergue, a hen nesting on her eggs.
Reverse: a student enveloped in a cape, wearing pointed military hat, his sword just visible.
School founded during the French Revolution in 1794 by mathematician Georges Monge for science and engineering. Militarised under Napoleon I. Still one of the top further education institutions in France. This medal issued during the centenary celebrations 17-19 May 1894.
AE 68mm. cornucopia BRONZE on edge (Monnaie de Paris) old case in very good condition. EF
