Retailer Vintage French 'Valeur et Discipline' Medal 1870

This is a vintage French 'Valeur et Discipline' from 1870 complete with ribbon. Some of the enamel on the front of the medal is missing but the reverse is complete - please see photos.
The front of the medal features the 'Marianne' surrounded by laurel leaves.
The medal measures 90mm high by 40mm wide.
This medal was presented to deserving persons during the 3rd Republic (1870 to 1940)

Information & History.
The retailer Médaille militaire (Military Medal) is a military decoration of the French Republic for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force. It is the third highest award of the French Republic, after the Légion d'honneur, a civil and military order, and the ordre de la Libération, a Second World War-only order. The Médaille militaire is therefore the most senior entirely military active French decoration.
During World War I, 230,000 médailles were awarded, when 1,400,000 French Army soldiers were killed and 3,000,000 wounded. For comparison, the UK Military Medal was awarded on 115,000 occasions in World War I, when 673,375 British Army soldiers were killed and 1,643,469 wounded.
The award was first established in 1852 by the first President of the French Republic, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte who may have taken his inspiration from a medal established and awarded by his father, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland.
After the First World War, the Military Medal was also temporarily awarded for wounds received in combat


The Marianne is a symbol of the French Republic since the French revolution in 1789 to 1799. She is the figure representing the slogan “Liberty, Equality et Fraternity”.
In the 18th century the names Marie and Anne have been very popular.
Marianne symbolizes the change of regime. Her appearance is highlighting the symbolism of the “mother of the country”, of the foster mother who protects the children of the Republic. Under the Revolution, Liberty and the Republic were women, often warriors. Just to add: this is as well how the statue of liberty in New York, which was given as a gift from France is a women.
The Marianne is a woman wearing the so called red Phrygian cap. This hat is a symbol for freedom as the first ones have been worn by slaves in Greece and Rome.
The designs and representations change over the years. Open hair, breast naked, different looks and expressions- over the years the symbols evolves. From very calm with decent look, hair attached and no weapons to the symbol of a fighter with open hair.