French commemorative medal "Defenders of Port Arthur" for non-commissioned officers

A rather rare medal, minted in silver by the workshop of S. F. Froment-Maurice to reward the Russian soldiers who defended Port Arthur. On the obverse of the medal there is a drawing depicting a lion standing on a tombstone. On the sides there are figures of two eagles holding a wreath in their paws. The inscription on the tombstone reads: "LA FRANCE AU GENERAL STOESSEL ET A SES HEROIQUES SOLDATS" ("France to General Stoessel and his heroic soldiers"). Under the slab, at the bottom of the circumference, there is an inscription carved into the depths: "SOUSCRIPTION DE L"ECHO DE PARIS". ( "Signature of Eco De The bet"). The reverse features an image of two Russian defenders of Port Arthur fighting on the battlefield with weapons in their hands. At the top of the circle is a symbolic image of France in the form of a woman wearing a Phrygian cap with flower wreaths in both hands, spread over the soldiers. At the top, around the circumference, the inscription: "DEFENSE DE PORT — ARTHUR 1904." ("Defense of Port Arthur 1904"). The diameter is 28 mm. The medal is on the original ribbon. Guarantee of authenticity. It's rare.

The medal was made on the initiative of Henri-Simon, the publisher of the French newspaper Eco de Paris, with money raised by voluntary subscription (about one hundred thousand francs were collected). Medals were made of gilded silver, silver and bronze. They were worn on the chest on a multicolored ribbon (in the center - wide blue, and on the edges - narrow blue, white, red and white colors). Medals were awarded: a) gilded - all generals, admirals, staff and chief officers, military doctors, priests, class officials and sisters of mercy; b) silver - all non-commissioned officers; c) bronze - all other lower ranks, orderlies, vigilantes and port workers. The widows or children of the fallen defenders received the right to receive a medal for storage in the family. On December 1, 1910, the Emperor gave permission to issue medals to the defenders of Port Arthur, without the right to wear them. Medals were issued (distributed) by the "Circle of Defenders of Port Arthur" in St. Petersburg upon presentation of certificates of awarding silver medals in memory of the war of 1904-1905. 2,000 silver-gilt, 6,000 silver and 30,000 bronze medals were produced.