Godefroid Devreese

The obverse bears bust of Babelon, left. Around, ERNEST · BABELON · DE · L'INSTITUT · ; signed to the right of bust, G. DEVREESE. / 1910

The reverse bears helmeted bust of Athena, left, holding spear and shield. Around, CONGRES INTERN · DE NUM · ET D'ART DE LA MED · BRUXELLES 1910 · ; signed in right field, R. BOSSELT

Ernest Babelon (1854-1924) was a French numismatist and classical archaeologist. In 1899 he was recognised with the Medal of the Royal Numismatic Society and in 1922 with the Archer M. Huntington Medal.

This medal was the 29th official issue of the American Numismatic Society. Issued jointly by the ANS and the Société Hollandaise-Belge des Amis de la Médaille d'Art, the reported mintage only applies to those pieces that were produced for the ANS.

This medal measures 65mm in diameter and was struck by Alphonse Michaux. The mintage is 156 pieces in silver and 505 in bronze.

References:   ANS 29, Baxter 259, Marqusee 120

References:   ANS 28, Baxter 253

The medal's obverse depicts the allegory of the blind man and the lame, the seeing-eyed younger man carried on the blind man's shoulders, legs dangling uselessly to one side; thorny thistles to one side.  Around top, AIDONS-NOUS MUTUELLEMENT: LA CHARGE DES MALHEURS EN SERA PLUS LEGERE; signed around lower left, G. DEVREESE. 1916.

The reverse bears enameled red cross shield over laurels. Around top, CROIX ROUGE DE BELGIQUE; across, SECOURS AUX VICTIMES / DES INONDATIONS / 1925 - 1926 / -.- / TEMOINAGE / DE RECONNAISSANCE

The story of the blind man and the lame helping each other became popular in France during the 18th century and is frequently attributed to Aesop, though there is little evidence to support this claim.  The legend around the top translates roughly to: "Let us help each other: the burden of misfortune will be lighter."

Eastern Belgium experienced heavy snowfall during December of 1925, followed by heavy rains in early 1926.  As a consequence, the Meuse River Valley in the Walloon region of Eastern Belgium experienced heavy flooding and there was a wide-spread aid effort in which the Belgian Red Cross played a crucial role.

This medal was given to aid donors and helpers as a token of recognition. The circular medal measures 70mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears nurse bent over hospital bed with soldier, table with plant and window in background. In exergue, Au service de la Souffrance; signed in bottom right cotner, G. DEVREESE.

The reverse bears enameled red cross shield over laurel branches.  Around top, CROIX ROUGE DE BELGIQUE; across, EN SOUVENIR / DES SERVICES RENDUS / AU COURS DE LA GUERRE / 1914 - 1919

The medal measures 63.6mm x 69mm and was struck in bronze by the Jules Fonson mint. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears Queen Astrid, facing left. Signed at bottom right, G. DEVREESE

The reverse bears cross in center field. Around, · LA CROIX ROUGE · / RECONNAISANCE

An identical portrait to the one on the obverse appears on a larger medal commemorating Queen Astrid's death, dated 1935.  I would date this medal to about the same time period but would appreciate a Belgian medal or Devreese specialist's opinion on this.

The circular medal measures 45mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Jules Fonson and Company. No mintage is reported.