France, II Empire. St. Helena Medal, Bronze Grade with Period Ribbon

(Médaille de Sainte-Hélène). Instituted in 1857. In blackened bronze, hallmarked with an anchor on the obverse, measuring 31.5 mm (w) x 51.3 mm (h), light contact, original ribbon with two clips affixed for suspension, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The St. Helena Medal was instituted on August 12, 1857 by Napoleon III, for issue to all surviving French and foreign soldiers, from the land armies or naval fleets, who served the Republic or the Empire between the years 1792 and 1815. It is Believed that 405,000 medals were issued.