German Awards - Commemorative Medal for the 1866 campaign

A commemorative medal for the 1866 campaign was established on 13 February 1867 by Prince Leopold III, regent from 1851 to 1875. All officers, officials and soldiers who were part of the Lippe mobile battalion in the 1866 campaign until August 2, 1866 were awarded. Lippe fought on the Prussian side. The battalion fought at Kissingen, at Laufach and at Aschaffenburg and Tauberbischofsheim. On 16 September 1866, the battalion returned to Detmold. Major Rodewald, the battalion commander, was also killed. The documents were then signed by Major Kellner. Medals were minted at the Royal Prussian Mint in Berlin. The stamp cutter was Weigand. The circulation was 1000 pieces. As of 1867, 988 medals had been awarded. The documents on the ownership of officers and equals were signed by the prince himself, for all other soldiers the documents were signed by the battalion commander. In 1915, a new coinage was issued to replace the lost medals. Source: Rainer Schwark, order and badge of honor of the principality of Lippe Detmold 1778-1933, works of the Lipp Land Museum, vol. VI, 2005.

Round medal made of bronze (cannon metal) with a raised border. Above is a soldered, grooved eye through which a ribbon ring passes.

Front side:

In the
• center, on a smooth background, intertwined letters rise - P - F - E - L -.
• For Paul Friedrich Emil Leopold. Above it hovers a princely crown.

Downside:

• At a short distance from the edge, an open laurel wreath tied with a double loop is above.
• Being in the center of the surrounded field, the year increases - 1866.

Tape:

• red 35 mm wide, side edges yellow/white 4 mm each.