A small silver commemorative medal, known as a Siegespfennig, designed by Daniel Friedrich Loos and struck to commemorate the Prussian victory at Athis present day Athies-sous-Laon on 9 March 1814.
The engagement at Athis was one of the most important episodes of the Battle of Laon, fought on 9–10 March 1814 between Napoleon’s French army and Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher’s Prussian-Russian Army of Silesia.
On the evening of 9 March, the Prussian corps commanded by Generals Yorck and Kleist launched a surprise attack against Marshal Auguste de Marmont’s forces. The division commanded by Prince Wilhelm of Prussia advanced in closed columns towards the burning village of Athis and assaulted the French positions with bayonets. Marmont’s surprised troops were routed, losing a considerable part of their artillery and baggage train. The destruction of his corps contributed significantly to Napoleon’s defeat at Laon.
The prince named on the medal was Friedrich Wilhelm Karl of Prussia (1783–1851), the younger brother of King Frederick William III, not the future German Emperor Wilhelm I.
With a suspension loop and ring.
An interesting memento of the French campaign of 1814, commemorating the successful Prussian assault that became one of the decisive episodes of the Battle of Laon.
Obverse: the winged Victoria holding a sword and laurel wreath
GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE
Reverse: seven-line inscription
BEI / ATHIS / DURCH DEN / PRINZ WILHELM / V. PREUSSEN / D. 9 MAERZ / 1814
Silver, diameter 15 mm, weight 1.71 g
