Historical Objects / Medals

Collection of Tyler Yates

Franco-Prussian War

Engraver:
Drentwett
Year:
1870
Country:
Prussia
Diameter:
40 mm
Obverse:
Kaiser Wilhelm, King of Prussia, bust facing right with laurel on head.
WILHELM I. KÖNIG VON PREUSSEN
DRENTWETT. JUNR. F.
Reverse:
Five heraldic shields surrounding a pile of banners, drums, and a cannon. The heraldic shields are for Prussia, Baden, Saxony, Bavaria, and Württemberg in clockwise order starting from the top. The inscription is contained in two banners that run in front of laurel leafs.
GROSSER SIEG D. DEUTSCHEN - ÜBER DIE FRANZOSEN 1870

The Franco-Prussian War was a conflict between the Second French Empire of Napoleon III and the German states of the North German Confederation led by the Kingdom of Prussia. The conflict was caused by Prussian ambitions to extend German unification and French fears of the shift in the European balance of power that would result if the Prussians succeeded.