France Expedition to China Medal 2nd Opium War 1856 1860 by Barre

FRANCE: Silver Commemorative Medal for 
the Expedition to China during the 2nd Opium 
War, in 1860. 
With the head of Emperor Napoleon III on the 
obverse and the major battles of the conflict 
on the reverse.
Silver hallmarked on the reverse side of the 
suspender. 
Signed "BARRE" on the obverse and marked 
with the "Anchor" on the reverse, the early 
mark of the medalist Albert Barre (1818-1878).
On vintage ribbon embroidered in blue with 
the Chinese characters for Peking (Beijing).
The medal was instituted in 1861 and it is 
extremely rare as only 8,000 medals were 
awarded.
The 2nd Opium War (1856 - 1860) fought 
between the allied Forces of the British and 
the France Empire and China ruled by the 
Qing dynasty. 
In Aug. 1860,  11.000 British and 6.700 French 
troops, under General James Hope Grant and 
General Cousin-Montauban respectively, 
landed at Pei Tang. After they captured the 
Taku Forts, the force marched on Peking, took 
the city on 6 Oct. 1860, looted the Forbidden 
City and burned the Summer Palace. 
The war ended on 18 Oct. with the Convention 
of Peking. 
The Chinese had to pay 8 million taels to 
Britain and France. Britain acquired Kowloon 
(next to Hong Kong). 
The opium trade was legalized and Christians 
were granted full civil rights, including the 
right to own property. 

FULL SIZE 

2nd Opium War 1856-1860

Item 100% original - vintage UV negative ribbon, 
most likely original

Condition as on the photos

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