**France – Beautiful Army of Africa Medal, c. 1830-40s

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**France – Beautiful Army of Africa Medal, c. 1830-40s Louis Philippe I – King of France Striking die work of Jean Pierre Montagny High Relief – Struck in Bronze By the Paris Mint Nearly Uncirculated with handsome Patina France. Army of Africa Medal, undated (c. 1830-40s). Bronze, 52mm, by Jean Pierre Montagny, Struck by the Paris Mint. Obverse features a well executed and highly detailed image of Louis Philippe I facing left with the inscription LOUIS PHILIPPE I. ROI DES FRANCAIS. The reverse features a high relief image of a woman with wings walking forward atop an orb with sword in right hand and a branch in her left with the inscription A L’ARMEE D’AFRIQUE. Nearly Uncirculated condition with handsome deep brown patina, couple of spots obverse field. Incredible die work by a master! Louis Philippe I (6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850) was King of the French from 1830 to 1848 in what was known as the July Monarchy . The son of a duke who supported the French Revolution but was nevertheless guillotined, Louis Philippe fled France as a young man and spent 21 years in exile, including considerable time in the United States. He was proclaimed king in 1830 after Charles X was forced to abdicate. Louis Philippe himself was forced to abdicate in 1848 and lived out his life in exile in England. He was the last king to rule France, although Emperor Napoleon III would serve as its last monarch. French Conquest France seized Algiers in 1830, using as justification an alleged insult to the French consul by the reigning Dey of Algiers. The conquest of Algeria by the French faced long and bitter opposition, led from 1832 to 1847 by the Algerian resistance leader Abd-el-Kader . The French Army used scorched-earth tactics and there were heavy losses amongst the indigenous Kabyle and Arab peoples (estimated to have numbered about 2 million in 1830). It was not until 1857 that the country was physically occupied and complete pacification was not achieved until 1881. The conquest was not technically completed until the early 1900s when the last Tuareg were conquered and the Sahara came under full French control. French Army of Africa The French Foreign Legion was established in 1831 by King Louis Philippe . The Legion was based in Algeria for 130 years, an experience which came to shape its character. The French Army recruited extensively from the Berber and Arab peoples of Algeria throughout the period of French rule (1830–1962). Most were employed as infantry ( Tirailleurs ) and cavalry ( Spahis ). Algerian troops saw extensive service in the Crimean War , Mexico, the Franco-Prussian War, various colonial campaigns in Africa, Tonkin and Syria, both World Wars, and the First Indochina War . In addition to indigenous troops, the French Army raised regiments of Zouaves and Chasseurs d' Afrique for service in Algeria. Originally comprising French volunteers, these units were after 1871 mostly drawn from French settlers in Algeria ("pied-noirs") undertaking their military service. Following the end of the Algerian War (1962) most of France's North African units were disbanded. A reduced Foreign Legion and one regiment each of Spahis, Tirailleurs and Chasseurs d'Afrique remain in the modern French Army, SHIPPING, MICHIGAN SALES TAX AND TERMS OF SALE PLEASE READ CAREFULLY $5.00 Shipping. Buyers taking delivery in Michigan need to add 6% sales tax or send us a copy of your valid Michigan Resale license with your payment to be exempt. All lots will be carefully packed and shipped. Bidders who fail to pay for lots and sales tax in full or do not meet the terms of sale requirements below may have their transaction voided as a result at our discretion. Please do not use eBay Checkout or request totals until after this group of listings close, we will invoice you promptly. PLEASE…Be sure to include a copy of your invoice or at the very least your item number(s) with your payment ... read more

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