HORNREICH COLLECTION of World and U.S. Historical Medals Including So-Called Dollars
France, Bz Plaquette Agriculture / Tillage by Morlon 1937, 3rd Rv.

Owner Comments:

Medal, Plaquette, 1937, Bz, France. Agriculture - Tillage by Alexander Morlon. This medal is known in 3 varieties. Three obverses are identical and Ceres, goddess of agriculture, holding ears of corn in his left hand. Note that Ceres is much like the " Republic " that he had done in 1930 and then appeared on coins 1franc, 2 francs and 50 centimes. The Reverses of the first two: " Poultry "and" Maturing " are compartmentalized and have duck, pigeon, rooster and hen, goose, rabbit and turkey for a head and rearing of animals (cow, horse, bull, sheep and pig) to the other. Then there is a third reverse, this example. This is the rarest known as " Ploughing " and deserves special attention. Indeed, the reverse of this plaquette contains two scenes symbolizing the work of the land: a farmer plowing his field with a plow pulled by two oxen in front of a rising sun (similar to the sower of Roty) and, under the low, a combine pulled by two horses. In 1930, France was still a predominantly rural country. Agricultural competition then punctuates the life of the country, rewarding the best agricultural products and animals presented as machinery or the knowledge of farmers as well. In reviewing Morlon's family photo album, a photo was rediscovered of field work in 1930. The photo is strikingly similar to the design in the third reverse discussed above. A fascinating medal. Ex Hedley Betts.