Bronze. 59mm. 112.5 grams. The obverse shows a high-relief portrait of Emperor Napoleon III by Barre. The Imperial Arms of France appear on the reverse with a circle of 20 shields representing the participating countries, including U.S., Britain, Spain, Papacy, Austria, German and the Italian States. EXPOSITION. UNIVERSELLE. AGRICULTURE. INDUSTRIE. BEAUX. ARTS. appear on the scroll below, as does PARIS 1855. Struck by the Paris Mint, and marked CUIVRE on the edge with a pointing hand symbol.

The 1855 Exposition Universelle was a major world’s fair put on by France with the goal of outdoing Britain’s Great Exhibition of 1851. Typical for the period, medals were awarded to exhibitors in bronze, silver, and gold. This bronze example is an unawarded remainder. What it lacks for in pedigree, however, it makes up for in preservation. Glossy brown surfaces are fully prooflike with hints of violet and green. The only imperfections include a tick left of the moustache and a fleck of aqua residue on the heck. An exceptional survivor in as-struck condition.