A small silver commemorative medal, known as a Siegespfennig, struck to commemorate the capture of the Montmartre Heights during the Battle of Paris on 30 March 1814. Designed by Daniel Friedrich Loos, it belongs to a series of miniature medals celebrating Allied victories over the Napoleonic forces.
The fighting at Montmartre formed part of the decisive battle for the French capital. The combined Russian, Prussian, Austrian and Württemberg armies attacked Paris from the north and east. The city was defended by the considerably smaller forces of Marshals Auguste de Marmont and Édouard Mortier, supported by the National Guard.
The Montmartre Heights were of considerable strategic importance, as they dominated the northern districts of Paris. Following fierce fighting, they were captured by Russian and Prussian troops. The loss of these positions and the Allied advances in other sectors forced the French commanders to open negotiations.
The inscription credits the victory to Prince Karl Philipp von Schwarzenberg, commander-in-chief of the principal Allied army. Operations in the northern sector and around Montmartre itself, however, were conducted primarily by Field Marshal Blücher’s Army of Silesia and Russian forces.
The capitulation was agreed on the evening of 30 March, and the Coalition armies entered Paris the following day. The fall of the capital decided the campaign and led to Napoleon’s abdication several days later.
The obverse depicts Victoria, the winged goddess of victory, holding a flaming sword and 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 the capture of Paris—an event that sealed Napoleon’s downfall and brought the French campaign of 1814 to an end.
Obverse: Winged Victoria holding a flaming sword and laurel wreath
GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE
Reverse: Inscription in six lines
BEI / MONTMARTRE / DURCH / SCHWARZENBERG / D. 30 MÄRZ / 1814
Silver, diameter 15 mm, weight 1.41 g
