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France, Second Empire, Napoléon III, Defeat and Capture at Sedan 1870, Brass Medal
The Battle of Sedan was fought during the Franco-Prussian War, 19 July 1870 – 28 January 1871 (6 months, 1 week and 2 days). Bombarded from all sides for two days by German artillery and with all breakout attempts defeated, the French Army of Châlons capitulated on 2 September, with 104,000 men taken into German captivity along with 558 guns. Napoleon III was taken prisoner. The French government in Paris continued the war and proclaimed a Government of National Defense on 4 September. The German armies besieged Paris on 19 September. With Paris starving the French negotiated an armistice with the Prussians. The Prussian Army held a brief victory parade in Paris on 1 March, the city was silent and draped with black and the Germans quickly withdrew. The quick German victory over the French stunned neutral observers, many of whom had expected a French victory and most of whom had expected a long war.WO110187. Brass medal, Collignon Guerre –, EF, scratches, weight 6.669g, maximum diameter 25.9mm, die axis 0o, 1870; obverse * NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR * clockwise above, SEDAN 1870 counterclockwise below, head of Napoleon III left, wearing Prussian pickelhaube (spiked helmet); reverse German Inscription: WER HÄTT',, / GEDACHT / DASS PREUSSENS,, / MACHT / MICH SO BEDACHT. (Who would have thought that Prussia makes me so fearful.) in five lines; ex CNG e-auction 510 (23 Feb 2022), lot 920; ex J. Eric Engstrom Collection; ex Dr. Richard E. Dickerson Collection; ex Jess Peters, Inc auction 92 (10 Mar 1978), lot 615; ex Matthew van der Voort Collection; extremely rare, perhaps unique; SOLD
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