History

The Decoration of Department Administrators was instituted by the National Assembly on July 12, 1792.

The Silver Medal was worn by district administrators in order to ensure their recognition and authority.

The Decoration is classified into two types according to the government under which they were worn. Type I Decorations were worn during the National Assembly and Type II Decorations were worn during the National Convention. It is likely that the Decoration was changed with the establishment of the new government, and it is certain that Type II Decorations were worn in the National Convention at the end of 1793, although the exact date of the change from the previous Type is unknown.

There were two different versions of Type I Decorations. The first version is stamped “M.F,” the second is stamped “M.”

The obverse and reverse inscriptions translate to “Respect the Law.”

The Decoration of Department Administrators is translated from French "Decoration des Administreurs de Depertement."