A small silver commemorative medal, known as a Siegespfennig, struck to commemorate the Prussian-Russian victory at Möckern on 16 October 1813. Designed by Daniel Friedrich Loos, it belongs to a series of miniature medals celebrating Allied victories over the Napoleonic forces.
The medal refers to the engagement fought on the first day of the Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations, and should not be confused with the earlier clash near Möckern on 5 April 1813.
At Möckern, the Army of Silesia commanded by Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher attacked the French VI Corps under Marshal Auguste de Marmont, which was defending the northern approaches to Leipzig. The particularly fierce fighting involved Prussian forces under General Ludwig Yorck and Russian corps serving in Blücher’s army.
After repeated assaults and bloody fighting for control of the village, the French troops were forced to retreat. The victory prevented Marmont from reinforcing Napoleon’s main forces south of Leipzig and threatened the northern flank of the French army. The success at Möckern was an important step towards the Coalition’s ultimate victory in the Battle of the Nations.
The obverse depicts Victoria, the winged goddess of victory, holding a flaming sword and a laurel wreath. The inscription GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE translates as “God blessed the united armies.”
Medal with a suspension loop and ring.
An interesting relic of one of the most important engagements fought on the opening day of the Battle of Leipzig, ending in a victory for Blücher’s Army of Silesia.
Obverse: Winged Victoria holding a flaming sword and laurel wreath.
GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE
Reverse: Inscription in six lines:
BEI / MÖCKERN / DURCH / BLÜCHER / D. 16 OCT. / 1813
Silver, diameter 15 mm, weight 1.64 g
