Summary

Medal Bataille d'Jena 'Battle of Jena', Issued by France, 1806
First type, Napoleon on Eagle
Artist: Bertrand Andrieu and Andre Galle
Minted by Paris Mint
Note: Sometimes called the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt or the twin battles of Jena and Auerstädt

Obverse Description

Laureate head facing right; around NAPOLEON EMP ET ROI.; on neck truncation, ANDRIEU F.; below, DENON DIRT.

Reverse Description

Napoleon as Jupiter, seated on a flying eagle casting thunderbolts against the Titans, who lie fallen among mountains; in exergue, BATTEILLE D'JENA / M DCCC VI.; below around rim in small lettering, DENON D. GALLE F.

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

The battle of Jena was fought on 14 October 1806 between the forces of Napoleon I of France and Frederick William III of Prussia. The decisive defeat suffered by the Prussian Army subjugated the Kingdom of Prussia to the French Empire.

"The battle was sanguinary in the extreme, 250,000 or probably 300,000 men, of which the two armies were composed, with 700 or 800 pieces of artillery, scattered death in every direction, and exhibited one of the most awful scenes recorded in history. The result was the most decisive in favour of the French that could be imagined; the loss of the Prussians, according to the bulletins of the French, was above 20,000 killed and wounded, and from 30,000 to 40,000 prisoners, with 300 pieces of cannon, sixty standards, and immense magazines of warlike stores and provisions.

The Duke of Brunswick was mortally wounded, and expired a few days afterwards at Altena; above twenty of the Prussian generals were taken prisoners.

Though suspicions may attach to this French account of the battle of Jena, the disastrous and extraordinary consequences of this memorable action were such as to render exaggeration unnecessary, and almost impossible; the rapid successes of the French, and the accumulated misfortunes of the Prussians, are without precedent in military history. The Emperor of the French immediately took possession of Potsdam and Berlin, where he levied vast contributions. " Laskey p.128-129

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