This medal is similar to medal # BW196 except the reverse is not inverted.

The title of Duke of Orleans was first created by King Philip VI in favor of his son Philip, who died without legitimate issue in 1375. In 1626 Louis XIII created his brother Jean Baptiste Gaston Duke of Orleans, and the title was revived in 1661 by Louis XIV in favor of his brother Philip. Descendants of this duke have retained the title until the present day, one of them becoming king of France as Louis Philippe in 1830. Two distinguished families are descended from the first house of Orleans: the counts of Angouleme, who furnished France with a king, Francis I; and the Counts and Dukes of Longueville.

Philip II (1674-1723), Duke of Orleans (1701-1723), regent of France, was the son of Philip I, Duke of Orleans (1640-1701) (who was the brother of Louis XIV and the son of Louis XIII). He fought at Sternkerk, Neewinden and Namur. He was successful in campaigns in Italy and Spain but his suspected desire to succeed Philip V, King of Spain, gained him Louis XIV’s disfavor. In 1715 he was appointed president of the council of regency of the young King Louis XV, and on Louis XIV’s death he invested himself with absolute power. On the majority of King Louis XV in1723, he relinquished his supreme power but became first minister to the king until his death later that year. Although Philip had great administrative abilities, he lacked moral restraint, and his regency was one of the most corrupt periods in French history.

The medal commemorates the protection granted by the Duke of Orleans in support of the arts in the period during his regency.