A small silver commemorative medal, known as a Siegespfennig, designed by Daniel Friedrich Loos and struck to commemorate the liberation of the Küstrin Fortress and the entry of Prussian troops commanded by General Johann von Hinrichs on 20 March 1814.
Küstrin, named Cüstrin on the medal, had remained under French control since 1806. Following Prussia’s defeat, the well-supplied and strongly fortified fortress was surrendered to the French virtually without resistance. Its commander, Colonel Friedrich Wilhelm von Ingersleben, was subsequently sentenced to death in absentia for his decision.
During the War of the Sixth Coalition, the fortress was blockaded first by Russian forces and subsequently by a Prussian corps commanded by Major General Johann von Hinrichs. The prolonged blockade, shortages of supplies and disease gradually weakened the French garrison under General Jean-Louis Fournier d’Albe.
The terms of capitulation were agreed in early March 1814, while the formal handover of the fortress and the entry of the Prussian Landwehr took place on 20 March. Hinrichs was subsequently appointed commandant of Küstrin and awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class.
With a suspension loop and ring.
An interesting memento of the recovery of one of Prussia’s most important fortresses on the Oder after more than seven years of French occupation.
Obverse: the winged Victoria holding a sword and laurel wreath
GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE
Reverse: six-line inscription
CÜSTRIN / BEFREIT / DURCH / HINRICHS / D. 20 MAERZ / 1814
Silver, diameter 15 mm, weight 1.47 g
