SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (Swiss Confederation). 1848-present. Medal 1815 (Bronze, 29 mm, 9.90 g, 12 h), so-called 'Yverdon Medal'. By C. Fueter. SCHWEIZERISCHE EIDGENOSSENSCHAFT / MDCCCXV. Coat of arms. Rev. TREUE / UND / EHRE. within wreath. Galiffe 3 var (in silver). SM 151. Schulthess 6158 var. (in silver). Wunderly 3507 var. (in silver). Exceedingly rare and very well preserved. Tiny marks, otherwise, virtually as struck.


The 'Yverdon Medal,' established on 28 April 1815, is one of only two military decorations ever created in Switzerland, a nation historically opposed to military orders due to its democratic principles. This medal was awarded to Swiss soldiers who, during Napoleon's Hundred Days, chose to serve under Louis XVIII rather than support Napoleon’s return to power. The inaugural award ceremony took place in Yverdon on 12 October 1815, which is why the medal is commonly referred to by that name.

Only 294 examples of the medal without suspension device were struck, and just 112 of these were actually awarded. The number produced in bronze remains unknown, but it must have been far smaller than the already rare silver pieces, which do occasionally appear on the market. Wunderly, in fact, recorded only silver issues. To date, the sole published bronze specimen is that in Leu’s standard catalog of Swiss medals (Leu, Schweizer Medaillen, 13 May 1987, 151).