Small copper medal of the National Defense 1870–1871, sculpted by Aimé Millet and engraved by Emile Soldi. A soldier between a palm branch and a laurel branch appears on the obverse, and on the reverse the legend reads: ARDECHE / EURE. LANDES / LOIRE-INFERIEURE / - / CALVADOS. MORBIHAN / BASSES-PYRENEES / SEINE-INFÉRIEURE / - / SEINE. SEINE-ET-OISE / &. &. &. Puncheon CUIVRE on the edge
The National Defense (1870–1871) refers to the period of the Franco-Prussian War when France, following the defeat of its regular army, raised territorial defense forces and large popular levies to resist the Prussian advance. Numerous patriotic societies, mobilization battalions, relief committees, and other civil-military groups emerged during this time, leading to the production of commemorative medals, subscription tokens, and recognition badges struck in various metals.
