Ancient, British and World Coins, Token, Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

France, Communications Aériennes, Paris, 1871, a bronze award medal by C.-J.-M. Degeorge for the Ministère de la Guerre, female figure seated on the side of a cannon, a carrier-pigeon flying into her arms, balloon in air behind, rev. pigeon coop, un-named, 62mm (PBE 345; CGMP p.122; BDM I, 544; BM Acq. 1983-7, p.19, 48; Malpas 95; cf. DNW 58, 1522). Obverse extremely fine and patinated, reverse very fine (£40-60)

Struck to commemorate the pigeon and balloon postage. This was the first continuous air mail service, and another first was the use of the pigeons which carried microfilmed letters