Summary

Portrait medal of Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) by Jacques Edouard Gatteaux. One of the Galerie Metallique des Grand Hommes Francais series. Minted in Paris, 1816.

Obverse Description

Bust facing right; around, JEAN DE LA FONTAINE.; below in smaller lettering the artist's name, E. GATTEAUX.

Reverse Description

Legend in eight lines: NE / EN M.DC.XXI. / A CHATEAU-THIERRY. / MORT / EN M.DC.LXXXXV / GALERIE METALLIQUE / DES GRAND HOMMES FRANCAIS. / 1816.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Jean de La Fontaine, French writer of fables who set out to satirize the court, the church, the rising bourgeoisie etc.

Galerie Metallique Des Grands Hommes Francais: a large series of portrait medals produced in France beginning in 1816, by leading medallists of the day. At least 119 people were honoured.

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