Summary

Portrait medal of Jacques-Etienne Montgolfier (1745-1799) by Caque. One of the Galerie Metallique des Grand Hommes Francais series. Minted in Paris, 1821.

Obverse Description

Bust facing left; around, ETIENNE MONTGOLFIER; below in smaller lettering the artist's name, CAQUE F.

Reverse Description

Legend in eight lines: NE / A VINDALON / PRES ANNONAY / EN M.DCC.XLV. / MORT / EN M.DCC.XCIX. / GALERIE METALLIQUE / DES GRAND HOMMES FRANCAIS. / 1821.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

Brothers Joseph-Michel Montgolfier and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier were the inventors of the Montgolfière-style hot air balloon, globe aérostatique. The brothers succeeded in launching the first tethered manned ascent, carrying Étienne, probably on 15 Oct 1783.

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