1913 AD., German empire, Wilhelm II, centenary of the begin of the defeat of Napoleon commemorative, Berlin mint, 3 Mark, J. 110.
German empire, Wilhelm II, centenary of the start of the liberation wars and begin of the defeat of Napoleon commemorative issue, proclamation "To my People" issued by Frederick William III of Prussia, Berlin mint, 1913 AD.,
3 Mark (33 mm / 16,64 g), 0.900 silver (Ag .900, Cu .100), mintage 3.000.000 , medal alignment ↑↑, lettered edge,
Obv.: DER KÖNIG RIEF UND ALLE ALLE KAMEN· // MIT GOTT· FÜR KÖNIG / UND VARTERLAND / 17·3·1813 , king Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia on horseback left, surrounded by people and soldiers.
Rev.: DEUTSCHES REICH 1913 / * DREI MARK * , eagle (Prussiaand his allies) fighting with snake (France and his allies) in talons.
Edge: GOTT + MIT + UNS + , smooth with incuse script, words separated by crosses with ornaments.
J. 110 ; AKS 139 ; KM 534 .
The proclamation An Mein Volk ("To my People") was issued by Frederick William III of Prussia on 17 March 1813 in Breslau (today Wrocław). Addressed to his subjects, Preußen und Deutsche ("Prussians and Germans" — the former term embracing several nationalities), it appealed for their support in the struggle against Napoleon. Hostilities had been declared the day before.
The document is the first instance of a Prussian monarch directly addressing the public in order to justify his policies. It was drafted by the Prussian councillor Theodor Gottlieb von Hippel the Younger, and published in the Schlesische privilegirte Zeitung on 20 March 1813.
The proclamation, which affirmed the unity of crown, state and nation, led to the massive expansion of the Prussian army, and to the creation of militias, paramilitary organizations, and Freikorps (such as that led by Major Adolf von Lützow).