#77 • Hanseatic League Napoleonic Wars Military Medal in Silver

Part of British & World Medals (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $325.00

Status: Sold

Hanseatic League Napoleonic Wars Military Medal in Silver. Silver medal (36mm) awarded by the Hanseatic League for soldiers from Lubeck, Bremen, and Hamburg that fought in the Napoleonic Wars in 1813-14. Medal exhibits dark even toning with some light surface scratches and is in fine condition. Medal presents proper bi-color ribbon. Estimate: $200 - $300 Historical Background: The Hanseatic League Napoleonic Wars Military Medal in Silver, also known as the Gemeinsame Kriegsdenkmünze für die Hanseatische Legion 1815, was established by the Senates of the three Hanseatic cities: Hamburg, Bremen, and Lübeck, on March 9, 1815. This decoration commemorated the patriotic conflict of 1813 to 1814, recognizing those who fought with the Hanseatic Legion during the Napoleonic Wars. The medal was manufactured by Gottfried Bernhard Loos in Berlin, with only 720 to 800 silver medals awarded, along with 12 made in gold. The silver medal is circular and measures 36 mm in diameter. The obverse features the inscription "DEM VATERLÄNDISCHEN KAMPFE 1813. 1814. ZUM ANDENKEN" which translates to "In Memory of the Patriotic Conflict 1813 - 1814," positioned above a Hanseatic cross. The reverse of the medal displays the coats of arms for Bremen, Lübeck, and Hamburg leaning against an oak tree. Above the shields is the text "GOTT WAR MIT UNS" or "God was with us," and the engraver's mark "LOOS" is present below. Men from these three cities notably fought at the Battle of Waterloo under Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.