Franco-Prussian War Medal and Coin

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McMahon surrenders to Bismarck, Kaiser Wilhelm I, after devastating defeat at Sedan.

Painting of surrender
Iron Cross 1870

 

Very cool medals, 1871 was a big year for Germany

 

Yes, not so big for France:

" La guerre qui oppose la France au royaume de Prusse et à ses alliés allemands, bien que brève, aura des conséquences dramatiques pour les deux nations et l'ensemble de l'Europe.

De l'humiliation ressentie par les Français et de l'arrogance nouvelle de l'Allemagne vont surgir les deux grands conflits mondiaux du XXe siècle. La France et l'Allemagne, qui éprouvaient jusque-là de la sympathie et même de l'attirance l'une pour l'autre, vont désormais se percevoir de façon très exagérée comme des « ennemis héréditaires ».

 

Empereur Louis Napoleon III AV 100 Francs 1862-BB Strasbourg Mint

 

Wow, I didn't realize this was such a pivotal negative point for France. It's very interesting to see the other side of that coin. Thanks for sharing and widening my perspective!

 

I believe this is related to the Franco-Prussian War. As you can see, someone modified this French 10 centimes so that Napoleon III appears to be wearing a German style helmet.

 

Another protest coin from the Franco-Prussian War: A 2 Franc 1866 coin defaced by the word "SEDAN" stamped on the front, the cite of Napoleon III's defeat. Possibly a political statement against imperial rule and in favor of the return to republican government.