V REPUBLIC medal, Channel Tunnel, first crossing Type: medal, Channel Tunnel, first crossing Date: 1990 Minted number: 500,000 Metal: Gold-plated bronze Diameter: 39.5 mm Weight: 31.09 g. Edge: ribbed Puncheon: horn of plenty AVERSE Legend on obverse: FIRST JUNCTION 1990 FIRST JUNCTION 1990. Obverse description: handshake on the English Channel, between England and France. REVERSE Legend on reverse: CHANNEL TUNNEL - CHANNEL TUNNEL. Description of reverse: central medallion with rails and traffic lights. COMMENTARY The Channel Tunnel (in English the Channel Tunnel or Channel Tunnel) is a railway tunnel connecting the south-eastern part of the United Kingdom (England) and northern France. Consisting of two outer tubes through which trains pass and a smaller central service tube, it is 50.5 km long, 38 of which are excavated under the sea. It is operated by the Franco-British company, the 'Euro tunnel'. Work actually started on 15 September 1987 on the UK side and 28 February 1988 on the French side. The crossing of the service tunnels occurs on 1 December 1904, followed by the crossing in the north tunnel on 22 May 1991 and the crossing in the south tunnel on 28 June 1991. After a further two years of work, the structure was finally delivered by TML to Euro tunnel on 10 December 1993. Outfitting, finishing and testing work was carried out between 1993 and 1994. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND FIFTH REPUBLIC (Since 01.08.1959) Please note: This is a private sale and not a commercial transaction, unfortunately I have to exclude any warranty, liability, as well as return of the item according to today's law!