Figure 1: Prague City Militia Medal of 1866. Image from the author’s archive.
Introduction:
The Prague City Militia Medal of 1866 (Prager Burgerwehrmedaille von 1866) was issued to reward the members of the three Corps of the armed Burgerwehren (City militia), Burgerscharfschutzen (Citizen Sharpshooters), Stadtische Garde (Municipal Guard) and Poliziesarfschutzenkorps (Police Sharp Shooter Corp) of the town of Prague who served during the Prussian occupation of the city. These three small corps of armed citizens were all volunteers. They served under the command of the police department. During the Prussian occupation the militia maintained law and order.
Date Issued: October 25, 1866
Reason Issued: This medal was issued to reward the members of the three Corps of the armed Burgerwehren (City militia), Burgerscharfschutzen (Citizen Sharpshooters), Stadtische Garde (Municipal Guard) and Poliziesarfschutzenkorps (Police Sharp Shooter Corp) of the town of Prague who served during the Prussian occupation of the city. These three small corps of armed citizens were all volunteers. They served under the command of the police department. During the Prussian occupation the militia maintained law and order.
Classes or Types: One
Interesting Facts: The obverse of this medal and that of the 1866 Tyrol National Defense Commemorative Medal are the same.
Hallmarks: None known
Design: A round medal with a ball shaped eye
Figure 2: Prague City Militia Medal of 1866, obverse. Image from the author’s archive.
Obverse: Inside a raised rim is a bust of Emperor Franz Joseph I facing to the viewers right and wearing a laurel wreath tied at the bottom with a ribbon in his hair. Around the edge of the bust and around the emperor’s head is inscribed FRANZ. JOSEPH I. KAISER VON. OESTERREICH. Translation: Franz Joseph I Emperor of Austria. Below the neck of Franz Joseph’s bust is the name of the engraver, Tautenhayn (Josef Hermann Tautenhayn).
Figure 3: Prague City Militia Medal of 1866, reverse. Image from the author’s archive.
Reverse: Inside a raised rim is an oak leaf wreath which, is tied at the bottom with a bow. Inside the wreath is the date 1866 and a horizontal decorative element.
Weight: 15 grams
Size: 31 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick
Type of Material: Silver
Variations: None known
Designer: Josef Tautenhayn senior
Manufacturer: The Vienna Hauptmunzamt (Mint)
Number Issued: 1,080
Figure 4: Prague City Militia Medal case. Image from the author’s archive.
Case: A brown leather case with embossed lines around the margin and the words BURGER MEDAILLE in gilt on the lid.
Figure 4: Prague City Militia Medal ribbon. Image from the author’s archive.
Ribbon: A 33-40 mm wide ribbon, which is half white and half Rose-red with the left side being white and the right red. Military recipients wore the medal on a tri-fold ribbon and civil awards were worn on a straight 33 mm wide ribbon.
Attachments: None
Miniature: Miniatures of this medal are known to exist
Figure 5: Prague City Militia Medal miniature. Image courtesy of Dorotheum
Hope you enjoyed this blog. Until next time, I hope you find joy in our shared interest.
Rick
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