French Australian exploration medal, 1801 – 1803

This medal was struck in association with a French expedition to Australia. Led by Captain Nicolas Baudin, the expedition undertook original mapping of much of the southern coast of Australia and the east coast of Tasmania. French Island in Westernport Bay was mapped and named during this expedition.

French Australian exploration medal, obverse.

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French Australian exploration medal, reverse.

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Obverse – The front of the medal depicts a bust of Napoleon in military uniform, by the artist Fleury Montagny. The French legend reads BONAPARTE PREMIER CONSUL DE LA REP. FRANCE EXPEDITION DE DÉCOUVERTES AN. 9. [Bonaparte First Consul of the Republic of France, voyage of discovery, year 9 of the Republic].		Reverse – On the back is a French legend LES CORVETTES LE GÉOGRAPHE ET LE NATURALISTE. COMMANDÉES PAR LE CAPITAINE BAUDIN [The corvettes Geography and Naturaliste commanded by Captain Baudin].

Transferred from Melbourne Mint Collection, 1978