Obverse: Depicts the head of "France" in a Phrygian bonnet near a growing oak tree which has put a laurel wreath around her head. A view of the Paris skyline to the right.

Legend:: République Francaise.

Reverse: The winged figure of Victory, holding a laurel wreath and a palm branch and carrying a winner on her back.

The Expo buildings are shown below, with a plaque which says "E. J. L. Guesnier" who was the recipient of the medal.

Legend: Exposition Universelle Internationale - 1900 - J. C. Chaplain

Edge: Marked with the cornucopia symbol (a symbol of food and abundance also known as the Horn of Plenty) and the word "Bronze"

About J.C. Chaplain

Jules-Clément Chaplain (1839-1909) - one of the most renown French medalist of the late 19th century, his career can be described as emblemic of the "Golden Age" of Medallic Art.

He first studied sculpting and engraving at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris under such masters as Jouffroy and Oudiné. In 1863 he won the Grand Prix de Rome, allowing him to study as a resident of Villa Medici in Rome from 1864-1868.

Chaplain returned to Paris in 1869 where he found official success almost immediately, winning notice in the Salons of 1870 and 1872. In rapid succession, Chaplain was named in 1877 the official medalist of the French Government, in 1878 a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur, and in 1881 to the seat at the Académie des Beaux Arts left vacant by the death of Jacques-Edouard Gatteaux.

He was responsible for the official portraits of every president of the French Republic from Patrice Mac-Mahon in 1877 to Émile Loubet in 1899.

Chaplain also received the commission for engraving the gold coinage of France at the urging of Claude Roger-Marx. He also engraved commemorative and official prize medals for the Paris Exposition Universelles of 1867, 1878, 1889 and 1900.