To C.W. Field, and his Telegraph Companies, Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1867 1867

Here we see a medal created by François-Joseph-Hubert Ponscarme to commemorate Cyrus W. Field and his telegraph companies at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1867. The circular form of the medal is bisected into two distinct but related halves. The coin’s formal structure presents a duality: one side features a classical allegorical scene of figures flanking a plaque, a composition suggestive of progress and collaboration. The opposite side presents a profile of Napoléon III, with an inscription around the coin. This division highlights a contrast between the universal achievements in technology, celebrated in classical terms, and the specific power and image of the French Emperor. The medal, in its structure and imagery, invites us to consider how technological advancement was intertwined with political power and self-promotion during this period of rapid change. It stands as a testament to how symbols of progress are often carefully mediated through displays of authority and cultural values.