Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事！
Medal Of The Reign Of Norodom I (Full Size)
Item number: M142
Year: AD 1864-1904
Material: Silver Gilt
Size: 33.0 x 33.0 x 1.8 mm
Weight: 16.95 g
Provenance: Aberdeen Medals 2024
This medal is the Medal Of The Reign Of Norodom I established by King of Cambodia NorodomI. The medal was awarded to individuals who provided personal services to the monarch or the royal family and ceased to be effective upon the end of the monarch’s reign (in the year AD 1904).
The medal is circular in shape, with the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Cambodia depicted at the centre of the obverse side. Surrounding this are inscriptions reading “SOMDACH PREA NORODOM PREA CHAU CRUNG CAMPUCHEA.” The reverse side features an encirclement of oak and laurel leaves, with the inscription “NORODOM 1ER ROI DU CAMBODGE” in the centre.A crown is suspended above the medal. The ribbon consists of equal stripes of red, yellow, and light blue.
Coat of Arms of Cambodia: Coat of Arms of Cambodia, also serving as the symbol of the Cambodian monarchy , features a shield placed atop a mantle. At the centre of the shield rests a sword atop a pedestal (Phan), with the symbol “Om” positioned above the sword. Surrounding this motif is a laurel wreath, and at the bottom lies an image of the Royal Order of Cambodia. Above the shield sits the Cambodian royal crown. This version of the national emblem was in use from the year AD 1860 until AD 1970.
The silver hallmark of “Sanglier” can be observed at the top of the circular medal’s obverse side, indicating that this decoration was produced in Paris. Additionally, the suspension ring of the medal bears the imprint “AxC,” which represents the symbol of the Parisian manufacturer A. Chobillion. Historically, most Cambodian orders and decorations were manufactured in Paris by makers such as Arthus Bertrand and Chobillion, utilisingribbons manufactured in France.
The Medal Of The Reign Of Norodom I is divided into three grades: Gold (silver-gilt), Silver, and Bronze. This particular medal belongs to the silver-gilt grade.
Following the initial issuance of this medal by King Norodom I, subsequent monarchs reformed the design of the medal, replacing the crown on the medal of sovereignty with the traditional Khmer crown and changing the inscription on the obverse of the medal to Khmer script. Therefore, amongstthe numerous medals of sovereignty issued by rulers, only the Medal Of The Reign Of Norodom I utilised Western script and a Western-style crown, making it unique amongst such decorations.
Norodom I, the King of Cambodia, ruled from AD 1860 to AD 1904, marking the longest verifiable reign in Cambodian history. During his reign, Norodom I faced challenges from various external forces. Siam (present-day Thailand) and Vietnam gradually exerted influence over Cambodia, necessitating Norodom I’s continuous efforts to defend Cambodia’s independence. Additionally, France’s expansion in Southeast Asia in the late 19th century compelled Norodom I to sign protection treaties, allowing France to strengthen its control over Cambodia’s internal affairs. Hence, the late period of Norodom I’s reign may be described by some scholars as a puppet regime of France.
獎章的外觀為圓形，正面中央為柬埔寨王國的王室徽章，周圍刻有「SOMDACH PREA NORODOM PREA CHAU CRUNG CAMPUCHEA」的字樣，背面則由橡樹和月桂葉環圍繞，中央刻有銘文「NORODOM 1ER ROI DU CAMBODGE」。獎章上方懸掛著一頂王冠。綬帶由紅、黃、淺藍三色相等的條紋組成。
