The Prussian Commemorative War Medal of 1863 for the Wars of Liberation 1813-1815 represents a significant chapter in Prussian orders and decorations history. This special award was instituted by King Wilhelm I of Prussia on January 20, 1863, to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the beginning of the Wars of Liberation against Napoleon.
The foundation of this commemorative medal occurred at a time when the last veterans of the Napoleonic Wars were already very elderly or had passed away. It was intended to provide both surviving participants and the descendants of deceased war participants with belated recognition for their services in liberating Prussia and Germany from French rule.
The medal existed in two different versions: The bronze version was intended for combatants, while the iron version described here was exclusively awarded to non-combatants. This group particularly included field doctors, military chaplains, hospital personnel, and other individuals who, while not directly participating in combat, nevertheless provided important services behind the lines. This distinction makes the iron variant considerably rarer and particularly valuable from a collector's perspective.
The use of iron as a material had both practical and symbolic reasons. Iron was traditionally associated with patriotism and sacrifice in Prussia, as demonstrated by the famous appeal “Gold I gave for Iron” during the Wars of Liberation. The iron version had to be blackened to prevent rust formation, though this blackening was frequently lost over time, as is the case with this specimen.
Particularly remarkable about the present piece is the fact that it is worn on the old ribbon of the Hohenzollern Medal 1848/49. This indicates that the bearer was involved in both events: supporting the veterans of 1813-1815 as well as the events of the Revolution of 1848/49. This combination is extraordinarily rare and gives the object additional historical significance.
The Hohenzollern Medal was awarded for participation in suppressing the revolution of 1848/49 in Baden and the Palatinate. The ribbon of this decoration was black and white striped with orange edges, the colors of the House of Hohenzollern. The use of this ribbon for the 1863 war medal was unusual but not prohibited, and demonstrates the individual wearing practice of the owner.
The award criteria for the iron medal were strictly regulated. Only persons who demonstrably served between 1813 and 1815 in non-military functions with the Prussian armed forces were eligible to apply. The award was granted upon application and required proof of service through documents or witness testimony. Since fifty years had passed since the events, providing this proof often proved difficult.
The design of the medal followed classic Prussian design principles. It typically showed the crowned monogram of the king or patriotic symbols as well as dates referring to the Wars of Liberation. The simple design corresponded to the serious character of the decoration and the Prussian tradition of restraint in military honors.
The condition of the present specimen is given as 2-3, indicating clear signs of wear. This is not unusual for iron decorations, as the material is particularly susceptible to corrosion. The loss of blackening is observed in almost all surviving specimens and does not significantly diminish the historical value.
The rarity of the iron version is explained by several factors: First, the number of non-combatants was naturally smaller than that of soldiers. Second, many of those eligible did not survive the fifty years until the foundation. Third, not all eligible persons applied for the award. This makes the iron war medal one of the rarer Prussian decorations of the 19th century.
For collectors and historians, this commemorative medal offers a fascinating insight into Prussian memorial culture and the way in which the kingdom honored its past. It stands as an example of the 19th century's efforts to anchor historical events in collective memory through decorations and to honor even the forgotten heroes of history.
The medal serves as a tangible reminder of the medical and spiritual personnel who served during the Wars of Liberation, often in horrific conditions in field hospitals and on battlefields. Their contribution, while less celebrated than that of the soldiers, was essential to the war effort and the preservation of countless lives. This iron medal, though simple in appearance, carries with it the weight of that service and the recognition that came five decades later.
