France: Medal of the Patriot Resisting the Occupation of the Departments of the Rhine and Moselle 1939-1945

An ordnance issue medal, with official Paris Mint 'Cornucopia' logo and metal marks on obverse of medal

Instituted by decree in 1954, as the Medal for the Exiled Patriot 1939-1945 (Medaille Du Patriote Proscrit 1939-1945) the medal was specifically for award to those French nationals who were ordinarily residents of Alsace-Lorraine / Departments of the Rhine Moselle, and who were arrested, deported and interned in camps, and or, were either outlawed, exiled or forced to take residence in another enemy occupied territory during the course of the Nazi occupation

The medal was awarded in two types. The first type medals (1954-59) had the reverse legend 'Patriotes Proscrits 1939-1945', in 1959, the reverse legend was subsequently changed to 'Patriotes Resistant A L'Occupation Des Departments Du Rhin Et De La Moselle 1939-1945'

As of 31 December 199, a total of 14,688 medals had been issued - most being of the 1st type reverse legend that was issued 1954-1959​

A very scarce medal with second type reverse legend - a choice early strike medal

Condition: About EF

Code: 21109