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Prussia - 1815

Bataille de Waterloo

Obverse
Obverse:
HERZOG VON WELLINGTON * FÜRST VON BLÜCHER *. Bustes en regard;
Exergue:
IETTON(!)
Size:
33 mm.
Reverse
Reverse:
A view of the Battle of Waterloo from behind the Prussian lines.
Legend:
SCHLACHT BEI LA BELLE ALLIANCE. Vue de la bataille.
Exergue:
V. 15. BIS 18. IUN: 1815.

Vern's Comments:

 
This medal was probably manufactured as a souvenir or to be given to troops present at the battle. It is apparently of Prussian origin and is rather crudely manufactured. It shows no evidence of ever having been worn. I found it clearly to be Bramsen #1646.
 
I was fascinated by it because it is from the Prussian point of view. This is rare since French and English versions of the battle predominate. Of course the Prussians rightly thought that they had pulled Wellington's chestnuts out of the fire. Had Napoleon not been forced to detach critically needed troops, including the Young and Old Guards, early in the battle to counter the threat posed by Blücher's approaching troops it's possible that Napoleon would have overwhelmed the weakened British center without having to resort to his Middle and Old Guard. That Blücher was even there was remarkable, considering the drubbing his troops had taken the previous days at Ligny and its aftermath.

Bramsen:

Étain bronzé 33 mm. TB.

d'Essling: