Slag bij Waterloo, ter ere van George, prins-regent van Engeland, penning vereerd aan John Nicoles, 1st light batt. K.G.L. 1815

This is a medal by Thomas Wyon the Younger, commemorating the Battle of Waterloo, presented to John Nicoles of the King's German Legion. Made in 1816, it speaks to the role of the monarchy and military in shaping British identity at the time. The medal features a portrait of Prince George, acting as Regent, adorned with laurel leaves, a classical symbol of victory. On the reverse, we see a winged figure of Victory, further emphasizing the triumph at Waterloo. The medal was awarded to soldiers who fought in the battle, so its imagery would likely have been powerful and emotive for its recipients. The King's German Legion, for example, comprised exiled German soldiers who fought against Napoleon. Understanding the medal requires research into the history of the Napoleonic Wars, the British monarchy, and the recipients themselves. These contexts help us to interpret the medal not just as a work of art, but as a historical artifact with social and cultural significance.