1682 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Establishment of the Cadet Company

1682 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Establishment of the Cadet Company, by J. Roettiers and T. Bernard. Plain edge.
LUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS, laureate armored and draped older bust right, R below || MILITIÆ TYROCINIVM, officer standing right, affixing sword to standing cadet with hand in hand, several young gentlemen awaiting their swords, held by another officer right, NOBILES EDVCATI MVNIFICENTIA PR MDCLXXXII T BERNARD F below in exergue.
70mm, 107.94g. Divo -.
In about uncirculated condition, with gilding largely intact. Horizontal diecrack going across reverse, otherwise a choice example with lovely chocolate brown surfaces. An extremely rare type that has never been offered publicly as a damascened example.

Expertly damascened, a famed technique popular in the Baroque era, particularly in France. The raised surfaces have been carefully gilded in gold, creating a striking and beautiful bicolor appearance. These medals are extremely rare and were used as presentation pieces in the French Court.

The Establishment of the Cadet Company was a major initiative launched by King Louis XIV aimed at providing young French noblemen with military training prior to their entry into the army as officers. Prior to the Company’s formation, these young officers acquired experience informally through proximity to existing regiments alone. The new training regiment provided these noblemen with formal instruction on weapons, military strategy, discipline, and command. Moreover, this system also cemented a political hierarchy in which the aristocratic class were expected to carry an obligation of service to the crown. By 1684, approximately 4,275 cadets were enrolled in various different Companies as part of this program. Ultimately, these reforms were successful in creating a more disciplined and professional French army as part of Louis XIV’s broader political and military goals.