Need some help with a couple of items

[AK in KY]

I found what I think is a Civil War plate or belt buckle with the letters K.S.G. on the front inside the typical oval.
The other item is a coin or token about the size of a silver dollar. The front has a raised face of a man that would remind you of Ceasar.( no hat but has a head band made of leaves)
At the bottom it says in very small print ANDRIEU.F On the reverse it has a strange5 pointed star and in the center is an eagle with the words HONNEUR ET PATRIE surrounding the eagle. Around the outside edge are the words AUSPICE NEAPOLEONE GALLIA RENOVATA. There is no date. It is in exellent condition. Found both items at a house built in 1810. Thanks for any help. I live in north central Kentucky.

AK in KY

 

[Bill_in_MA]

The Legion d'Honneur - France's highest decoration - created by Napoleon Bonaparte in May 1802 and first bestowed on July 15, 1804 - awarded for gallantry in military action or twenty years distinguished service in military or civilian life for work that enhances the reputation of France through scholarship, arts, sciences, politics, sport, etc.
Head of Napoleon is on the front. The back is inscribed with the motto 'Honneur et Patrie (honour and fatherland) Auspice Neapoleone Gallia Renovata'
The award consists of five classes. In descending order of distinction:
1. Grand Cross;
2. Grand Officer;
3. Commander;
4. Officer;
5. Chevalier (Knight)

 

[AK in KY]

Thanks Bill. Is there a website I could go to to see the medal?
Do you know when they stopped issuing these?

AK in KY

 

[Bill_in_MA]

n/t

 

[Bill_in_MA]

Does it look like this?

 

[AK in KY]

That is it. Also, it is in the same condition as the photo.

 

[Bill_in_MA]

There are many sites - 1 is:

http://fortiter.napoleonicmedals.org/

See # 310 under Peace Medals

 

[Jim R.]

Hi there AK;

Here is a link with info to the medal you found. I think you'll find it interesting. Great find. HH Jim R.
www.jssgallery.org/Essay/The_Legion_dHonneur/The_Legion_d'Honneur.htm

 

[Pr Draks]

Hello ,

It is a legion d honneur medal(like a medal of Honor) , all of them like coins etc...are designed bymade by les" Monnaies de Paris" http://www.monnaiedeparis.com/collectionneurs/med.htm , the site is also in English but if you want more infos and find other sites or ask a question to somebody else with no english just send me your question and I will translate it for you (I am French). Good Luck.

 

[Pr Draks]

Andrieu is the engraver check this site : http://fortiter.napoleonicmedals.org/medals/history/2nd_aust.htm
But I am sure that if you send the picture to the Monnaie de Paris will tell you exactly what it is and in the meantime you may find something there http://fortiter.napoleonicmedals.org/medals/history/index.html

 

[AK in KY]

PR - I spoke with the land owner where I found the medal and he told me the people who built the house in 1810 came to Kentucky from France. There name was Foree. So I guess the medal had to have come from France sometime before 1810. Thanks

AK in KY

 

[Bill_in_MA]

There were lots of Foree's around New Castle, KY - is that the general area ?

 

[AK in KY]

Bill - You would make a great Private Eye!! That's where I call home.

AK in KY

 

[Bill_in_MA]

Bingo !

 

[Bill_in_MA]

Actually genealogy is one of my other hobbies !

 

[AK in KY]

Peter Foree is the one who built the house. He came to Virginia from France then moved to Kentucky. The property was originaly part of a land grant from the Gov. of Virginia.

AK in KY