1778 George Washington "Voltaire" French Medal Start Price USD 999.00 Current Price USD 999.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 1,299.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, June 29, 2008 End Time Sunday, July 06, 2008 Location - See more about '1778 George Washington "Voltaire" French Medal' Description 40 mm diameter, which is about 1 9/16 inches. Struck in Bronze. The Voltaire Medal of 1778 is the earliest medal struck in George Washington's honor, in Paris. Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire collaborated on producing this medal. The head on the front is actually that of the famous French philosopher Voltaire, because they did not have an image of Washington at the time. On the reverse are symbols of war and reads, "George Washington, General of the Continental Army in America." A scarce, historic George Washington tribute and Revolutionary War Era medal created by the French Allies."1778 —On the 3d of February they started. The colonists and he were weeping. At the stopping-places on the way, in order to get away from the crowd of admirers that would press on him, he found it necessary to lock himself in his room. He made the 300 miles by February 10th, and put up at the hotel of Madame de Villette, after an exile of twenty-eight years! The city was electrified by the news and a tide of visitors set in, and crowds waited outside the hotel for a chance glimpse of the great man. He held a continuous reception and, amidst the tumult of homage, his gayety, tact, and humor never flagged. Among the first to do homage to Voltaire was Dr. Benjamin Franklin, with whom he conversed in English. With the American ambassador was his grandson, a youth of seventeen, upon whom Franklin asked the venerable philosopher’s benediction. Lifting his hands, Voltaire solemnly replied: “My child, God and Liberty, remember those two words.” He said to Franklin that he so admired the Constitution of the United States and the Articles of Confederation between them that, “if I were only forty years old, I would immediately go and settle in your happy country.” A medal was struck in honor of Washington, at Voltaire’s expense, bearing this couplet:Washington réunit, par un rare assemblage,Des talens du guerrier et des vertus du sage. During the first two weeks several thousands of visitors called to welcome their great compatriot." Qui vive ? FRANCE ! Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!   Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!