ALGÉRIE - ALGERIA Second Empire / Napoleon III (1852-1870). Medal, enlargement of Algiers Cathedral, by Oudiné 1853, Paris. Av. View of Algiers Cathedral between a palm tree and a crucifix adorned with pampers; in the exergue: P. H. FÉRAUD. ARCHI./ PUPIL OF/ CONSTANT. DUFEUX; signature OUDINÉ. Rv. FRENCH EMPIRE/ MINISTRY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WORSHIP In the centre, inscription in fifteen lines: 15 AUGUST 1853/ UNDER THE REIGN/ OF/ NAPOLEON III/ EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH/ LAYING OF THE FIRST STONE/ OF THE WORK/ to consolidate/ and enlarge the building. CONSOLIDATION/ AND ENLARGEMENT/ OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ALGER/ H. FOURTOUL. MINISTER/ OF. PUBLIC/ EDUCATION. AND. AND. CULTES/ LE Mal St ARNAUD/ MINISTER. OF. THE/ WAR. Ruedas 57 - Esc.211 - Fayolle 146 ; Copper - 168,8 g - 68 mm - 12 h From an iNumis sale, 5 December 2018, No. 73 (Jean Lecompte collection), then from the Pierre-René Bauquis collection. Hallmarks (bee) COPPER. With a shiny brown patina. Superb at Fleur de coin. In 1832, the French, in agreement with the natives, took over the beautiful Ketchaoua mosque to be used as a Catholic church; but subsequently, unable to contain the faithful, whose numbers increased every year, it was demolished, rebuilt and considerably enlarged; the original mosque occupied little more than the present site of the cathedral choir; the great nave, the aisles and the staircases giving access to the monument were built entirely by the French [Fayolle, 1931, p.40].