Switzerland, A Federal Canton Of Geneva Shooting Award Medal 1851

In red bronze, obverse illustrating the coat-of-arms of the Canton of Geneva, backed by crossed rifles and framed by an open-ended wreath composed of branches of laurel leaves and oak leaves, with emanating rays over "IHS" (a monogram or symbol for the name Jesus) and a ribbon banner inscribed in Latin "POST TENEBRAS LUX" (After Darkness, Light), surrounded by the inscription in French "TIR FEDERAL DE GENEVE JUILLET MDCCCLI" (Federal Shooting of Geneva, July 1851), reverse illustrating a standing woman in flowing robes, a branch of laurel leaves in her right hand, her left hand resting upon a shield bearing the coat-of-arms of the Canton of Geneva, with a flag rising from behind the shield, the cityscape of Geneva in the background, with emanating rays above the skyline at the far left, surrounded by the inscription in French "GENEVE CANTON SUISSE" (Canton of Geneva, Switzerland), and engraver marked "DORCIERE L." (Louis Dorciere, 1985-1879) below the woman, measuring 38.3 mm in diameter, light wear evident on eagle and key on the coat-of-arms, near extremely fine.

Footnote: The twenty-six cantons of Switzerland are the member states of the Swiss Confederation.