French Second Empire Empress Eugénie Portrait Bronze Trial Strike Medal by Antoine Bovy (50mm, 38g)
Overview
A pristine, museum-quality bronze test / trial strike medal featuring an exquisite portrait of Empress Eugénie, consort of Emperor Napoleon III. Measuring 50 mm in diameter and weighing 38 grams, this piece is presented in exceptional, razor-sharp mint condition.
Numismatic & Artistic Significance
Crafted by the legendary Swiss-born French sculptor and medalist Antoine Bovy (1795–1877)—one of the premier medallic artists of the 19th century and a key figure at the Paris Mint—this piece captures the height of Second Empire neoclassical portraiture.
Because this specific specimen is a trial strike / test piece (épreuve), it focuses entirely on the master engraver's crisp obverse portrait. The reverse is intentionally left blank save for inventory/reference numbers, which is a defining characteristic of archival mint test strikes, striking trials, and studio reference pieces preserved by master die-sinkers to evaluate metal flow and die detail before an official series is minted.
Specifications
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Country of Origin: France (Second Empire Period)
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Subject: Empress Eugénie de Montijo (1826–1920)
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Artist / Engraver: Antoine Bovy
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Type: Obverse Trial / Test Strike Medal (Blank Reverse with Archive Numbers)
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Composition: Solid Bronze / Copper alloy
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 38 grams
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Condition: Mint / Uncirculated state with brilliant details and pristine surfaces.
Collector Appeal
Trial pieces and single-sided test strikes hold a specialized appeal for advanced numismatists and exonumia collectors. They offer an unencumbered look at the supreme craftsmanship of 19th-century die-engraving without the distraction of standard commemorative reverse text. A gorgeous cabinet piece for collections focusing on Napoleon III, the Second Empire, or masterworks by Antoine Bovy.
