Description
FRANCE 1943 Maréchal Pétain WWII 68mm METAL.D medal 153 grams by Pierre Turin in cardboard prestation case given to Mr. Alfred Angot
Obverse: Pétain facing left, PHILIPPE PETAIN MARECHAL DE FRANCE CHEF DE L'ETAT
Reverse: Free France Axe of WW2, OFFERT PAR LE MARECHAL A L'OCCASION DE LA FETE DU TRAVAIL 1943 (Trans: OFFERED BY THE MARSHAL ON THE OCCASION OF LABOR DAY 1943)
Edge: OA354 Cornucopia symbol privy mark (Paris Mint) METAL.D [Alloy variations were commonly used because of wartime metal needs - appears to be bronze]
Philippe Pétain was a French general who attained the position of Marshal of France at the end of World War I, during which he became known as The Lion of Verdun. From 1940 to 1944, during World War II, he served as head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France. Pétain, who was 84 years old when he became Prime Minister, remains the oldest person to become the head of state of France.
Pierre Louis Aristide Turin (August 3 , 1891 in Sucy-en-Brie - July 25 , 1968), was a French medalist and sculptor. Turin is widely accepted as the most accomplished medallist working in the Art Deco style. He was a pupil of Frederic de Vernon, Auguste Patey and Jules Coutan. His most famous work is the medal for the International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Arts that gave the name to the Art Deco style.
