Denmark – Commemorative Medal for the War of 1848-1850

Description

The medal was instituted on 26 June 1875 by King Christian IX at the suggestion of the veterans of the war. Some 46,000 examples were struck in Paris and distributed in 1877 to all participants then still living.

In March 1848, the Germans of Schleswig-Holstein staged an armed uprising with the aim of establishing an independent state. The King of Denmark was Duke of both Duchies and the Danish army intervened. German states, with Prussia prominent, supported the uprising and war continued for three years with Prussia eventually yielding to pressure from the Great Powers.

Circular bronze medal on laterally-pierced ball and original swivel bar suspension; the face with the head of King Frederik VII facing right, circumscribed ‘FREDERIK VII KONGE AF DANMARK’ (Frederik VII King of Denmark) and signed ‘ALPHEE DUBOIS’ (for the French painter, designer and engraver Alpheus Dubois, 1831-1905); the reverse with the dates ‘1848-1850’ circumscribed ‘FOR DELTAGELSE I KRIGEN’ (For Participation in War). Unfortunately, no ribbon and medal is slightly worn.