The date assigned to this medal does not represent the completion of Versailles, but rather represents a date in the palace’s history that the court of Louis XIV felt best captured the essence of the chateau’s elegance. Although not yet fully completed, the extravagance and overwhelming beauty of Versailles at the state in which it is depicted warranted the creation of a commemorative medal within the uniform series of Louis XIV. Translation from the Medailles sur les principaux evenements du regne entier de Louis le Grand, pg. 184: Versailles, 1680 Of all the Royal Houses, Versailles is the one that the King has most loved, and that he has the most embellished. He has gathered all that art and brilliance can do to make extraordinary things possible. There are buildings so sumptuous, gardens so pleasant, and so varied, fountains so abundant, aqueducts so prodigious, and so many rich ornaments, and different beauties, that it would take more than one volume to describe them. Not only is the King superbly lodged there, but the Princes, the Lords, and all. Officers have equally convenient, and beautiful apartments. Finally, the residence of His Majesty attracted so many people, and inspired so many houses to be built that it became a considerable city. This is the subject of this medal. We see the face of the Chateau de Versailles, as it is on the side of the Gardens. The words of the Legend, “REGIA VERSALIARUM” mean, the royal castle of Versailles. At the Exergue is the date M DC LXXX which is about the year this Palace is to be found in its perfection.