#75 • Frankfurt Germany City Medal: Napoleonic Wars - 1815

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

High bid $800.00

Status: Sold

Frankfurt Germany City Medal: Napoleonic Wars - 1815. German, Frankfurt city silver medal (33.5mm) 1815 for officers and men from the Frankfurt area that served in the 1815 campaign against Napoleon. Medal exhibits even toning and several small surface scratches and is in very fine condition. Medal present short but proper ribbon. Estimate: $400 - $500 Historical Background: The Frankfurt Germany City Medal, dated 1815, commemorates events related to the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Following Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the political landscape of Europe was redrawn by the Congress of Vienna. Free cities like Frankfurt, which had experienced changing allegiances and occupations during the long conflict, often issued medals to mark significant occasions, such as the restoration of their sovereignty or the celebration of peace and victory against French dominance. The 1815 date specifically highlights the conclusion of the Seventh Coalition's efforts, solidifying the end of the Napoleonic era. These city medals served as a form of civic recognition, often awarded to military personnel, citizens, or officials for their service or contributions during the war years. While specific details on the design of the Frankfurt 1815 medal would need further research, similar commemorative German medals of the period typically featured symbols representing the city's identity, figures of national or local significance, and inscriptions celebrating the triumph of the German states—particularly Prussia and its allies—over Napoleon's forces. This medal represents a tangible link to a pivotal moment in European history when German cities regained stability and recognized the sacrifices made during the fight for independence.