A small silver commemorative medal, known as a Siegespfennig, struck to commemorate the victory of the Sixth Coalition over Napoleon’s army near Brienne on the River Aube on 1–2 February 1814. The issue belongs to a series of miniature medals celebrating Allied victories, produced by the Berlin medallic workshop of Daniel Friedrich Loos.
Although traditionally described as commemorating the Battle of Brienne, the dates inscribed on the medal actually refer to the Battle of La Rothière, fought several kilometres south of Brienne. It should not be confused with the earlier engagement at Brienne-le-Château on 29 January 1814, which ended in a French victory.
At La Rothière, the combined Russian, Prussian, Austrian and German forces, under the overall command of Prince Karl Philipp von Schwarzenberg, forced Napoleon’s army to retreat towards Troyes. The victory was of considerable propaganda and morale-building importance, being one of the Allies’ first major successes after entering French territory.
The obverse depicts Victoria, the winged goddess of victory, holding a flaming sword and a laurel wreath. The surrounding inscription GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE translates as “God blessed the united armies.”
Medal with a suspension loop and ring.
An interesting relic of the French campaign of 1814, commemorating the Allied victory at La Rothière near Brienne.
Obverse: Winged Victoria holding a flaming sword and laurel wreath.
GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE
Reverse: Inscription:
BEI / BRIENNE / AN DER AUBE / D. 1 U. 2 FEB. / 1814
Silver, diameter 15 mm, weight 1.34 g
