Summary

Portrait medal of Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689-1755) by Caunois. Generally referred to as Montesquieu. One of the Galerie Metallique des Grand Hommes Francais series. Minted in Paris, 1817.

Obverse Description

Bust facing left; around, C. SECONDAT DE MONTESQUIEU.; on truncation in smaller lettering the artist's name, CAUNOIS F.

Reverse Description

Legend in eight lines: NE / A LA BREDE / EN M.DC.LXXXIX. / MORT / EN M.DCC.VL. / GALERIE METALLIQUE / DES GRAND HOMMES FRANCAIS. / 1817.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

French social commentator and political thinker. Famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers. Responsible for the popularization of the terms feudalism and Byzantine Empire.

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