Summary

Medal commemorating the Baudin Expedition, France,1802 AD, by artist Montagny.

The French explorer Nicolas Baudin was instructed to explore and map the coast of southeast Australia (then known as New Holland) and undertake scientific observations. It is likely that he was investigating British colonial activity in the area as well. The expedition lasted from 1800 to 1803 and included two ships, Le Geographe, captained by Baudin, and Le Naturaliste, captained by Jacques Hamelin, nine zoologists and botanists, including Jean-Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour, François Péron and the artist Charles-Alexandre Lesueur, as well as the geographer Pierre Faure.

Mint: not recorded

Physical Description

Round brass medal. Bust of Napoleon left, inscription around and below. Inscription on reverse.

Obverse Description

Bust of Napoleon left, around, BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL DE LA REP. FRANCE; below, EXPEDITION DE / DECOUVERTES / AN. 9

Reverse Description

LES CORVETTES / LE GEOGRAPHIE ET / LE NATURALISTE, / COMMANDEES PAR / LE CAPTAINE / BAUDIN

Edge Description

Plain

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