www.925-1000.com

A question asked by one of my connections about an eagle head (erased) in a rectangular frame.

A mystery to me;  On French made silver campaign medals during 2nd Empire period(1852-1870). Particularly: China Expedition (1860), Mexican Expedition(1862-63)and Italian Campaign(1859) medals. This mark of an eagle's head. Usually punched on the suspension ball or at the top or bottom of the medal (bottom of the wreath design). This seems to be only present on medals designed by (or made by) BARRE, a known medal artist.
While medals for these campaigns were also made by other medallion makers (Falot,Sacristain) - those were normally marked with French standard (wild boar's head)in addition to their names (raised). Only Barre's signed medals seem to have this eagle's mark - majority but not all of them. We are inclined to think this mark to be some kind of maker's mark however Barre normally used image of an anchor as his 'design trademark' (for the lack of better description on my part here). Other Barre's signed Military Medals of the same period (this was a high award for officers) all have the name and the anchor (both raised) but are clearly marked with silver standard (boar's head). 
What exactly is this punch of eagle's head?  In a way, it very much resembles French Gold standard mark but none of these medals were ever made in gold (nor were intended to be made in gold - Imperial decrees for these medals clearly state silver). The medal in question tested to be silver 850 /000






Peter.

Is it true that the Eagle's head was required to be struck in French jewelry containing gold parts? Therefore, if any part of this had a gold content (for inastance, maybe the pin mechanism is made of 9K gold?) the Eagle Head would have to have been struck on all the parts of the jewelry?

:::::: (However improbable that theory sounds, at least I learned about the "French Jewelry Containing Gold Parts" and the French Eagle Hallmark) ::::::

France Domestic gold Hallmarks 1838-1919.
9K gold is not used lowest gold standard is 18K minimum 750/000 fineness.

The eagle head is contained within a closely contoured frame. This indicates assay by touchstone only and thus is often referred to as a limited or restricted warranty mark. In 1847, due to the theft of assay office hallmark punches, a new security measure initiated the addition of a second outline or double frame the contoured mark.
I believe a gold pin mechanism is marked on its own and as such being an attachment, the mark does not apply to the parts of the jewelry it is attached to.
In 1905 a mixed Gold & silver mark for mixed gold and silver items were introduced. If an item was constructed with more than 3% (30/1000) gold on silver or silver on gold, and each metal retained its original color, then the item was marked with the mixed gold and silver mark the opposed boar and eagle head. ? =regional assay office mark.


NB. The medal in original question has no (0) gold parts.


Peter.

Source; Hallmark Research Institute world hallmarks Volume II

We now think the eagle head in a rectangular frame to be an unofficial mark, associated with Barre, as an in-house "mark" - since Barre and his family (before and after Albert) participated in both - design and manufacturing processes. Albert Désiré Barre in Paris (well known engraver, designer and medalist associated with Paris Mint. The raised anchor mark which is presumed to be Paris Mint- authorized on articles designed by Barre. He was known to advance and push the boundaries of electroplating in the early stages of the technique.
We must not forget that the recipients of these types of medals had to pay for them themselves. In the aftermath of campaigns, silver (money) was very valuable.The French government, the war costs and loans had to be paid off. The French ministry that awarded the medals probably preferred to financially contribute little. Was Barre allowed to save on hallmark costs, allowed to use low grade silver or heavily silver-plated, perhaps with permission of the French government?
I assume the single eagle head without initials was probably used by Albert Désiré Barre in Paris to give some extra cachet to the medals. One is certainly impressed by an eagle's head. I have been told there would have been a few hundred thousand medals made which are bearing this mark.

Peter.

In most cases, the recipients of French medals were (and still are) required to buy them themselves, and it's quite likely that silver plated medals would have been popular. Today, the vast majority of French silver medals are just silver plated. Barre was perhaps just a bit ahead of his time.