France, Compagnie Universelle du Canal Maritime de Suez, silver medal (1888), by L-O Roty

Obv: France receives a bag of money from a robed figure, L'EPARGNE FRANCAISE PREPARE LA PAIX DV MONDE (French saving prepares world peace) around

Rev: name of Suez Canal Company around legend in field LE 17 NOVEMBRE 1869 LE CANAL MARITIME A ETE OUVERT A LA GRANDE NAVIGATION (On 17th November 1869 the maritime canal was opened to large shipping)

Condition: Good very fine

Diameter: 41mm

References: Forrer V/230; BM Acq 1983-87/p25

Notes: The Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez was the French corporation which constructed the Suez Canal between 1859 and 1869. France was the majority shareholder, with Egypt also holding a significant stake until financial crisis forced Isma'il Pasha to sell his shares to the British government. Formed by Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1858, the company operated the canal until its nationalization by Egypt in 1956. In 1888, the year of this medal's issue, the canal was opened to shipping of all nations in peacetime or war.

Price £75