dating: 1823 provenance: France, On the obverse, bust (left) in uniform, on the border 'CH. AM. ALB. DE SAVOIE PRINCE DE CARIGNAN'; on the shoulder cut “BARRE F.”, opus “DE PUYMAURIN D.”. On the reverse 'PRISE DU TROCADERO LE 31 AOUT 1823.' and under laurel wreath the dedication 'LES REGIMENTS DE LA GARDE ROYALE ONT OFFERT AU PRINCE DE CARIGNAN LES EPAULETTES DE GRENADIER'. In early 1823, Duke Louis Antoine d'Angoulême led a French expeditionary force to restore Ferdinand VII to the Spanish throne. Charles Albert, eager to redeem himself after the uprisings of 1821, asked to join the contingent. After receiving permission from Charles Felix on 26 April, he embarked on the Sardinian frigate Commercio on 2 May and arrived in Marseilles on 7 May. Assigned to General Étienne de Bordesoulle's division, he arrived in Madrid on 24 May and continued on to Cádiz. He distinguished himself during the crossing of the Sierra Morena and was awarded the Legion of Honour. On 31 August 1823, French troops attacked and captured the Trocadero fortress. Charles Albert bravely crossed the Channel and raised the flag of the 6th Regiment of the Royal Guard. After the battle, he rescued the enemy prisoners and received the epaulettes of a fallen officer. When he was freed, Ferdinand VII praised him personally. On 2 September, during a military parade, the Duke of Angoulême decorated Charles Albert with the Cross of the Order of Saint Louis. diameter 4 cm.