France, Maréchal de Vauban, 1870, a large uniface cast bronze portrait medal by L. Breuil, bust left in high relief, 190mm. Very fine and very rare (£150-180)

Sebastien le Prestre de Vauban (1633-1707), director of French siege-warfare during Louis XIV’s wars who built or improved some 300 fortresses, particularly on the eastern front. A military innovator, Vauban introduced ricochet fire and the socket bayonet; he also designed roads, bridges, canals, dykes and aqueducts. Illustrated on Plate III in back of catalogue