Hersfeld; Battle of Sedan Commemorative Medal

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Sedan the city of Hersfeld issued an aluminum medal on September 2, 1895. The obverse has an appropriate legend around the city coat of arms. The reverse has a double legend around the surrender scene which roughly translates Napoleon III’s statement as “Since my fate was not to die at the head of my brave troops in battle (which he really tried very hard to do) I lay my sword in your majesty’s hands.” The scene within the double legend depicts a very dejected looking Napoleon III presenting his sword to Prussian King Wilhelm I who would shortly after become Kaiser Wilhelm I. I have never been a fan of Napoleon III but he looks so dejected in the scene depicted on this medal that when I first saw it I actually felt a twinge of sympathy for him.

 

Great medal, he does look pretty glum. thanks for posting it.