Summary

Medal replica commemorating the sinking of the R.M.S. Lusitania created by Great Britain in 1915. This iron copy was produced as a propaganda measure against Germany. The medal is in its original box but without a leaflet.

The original Lusitania medal was designed by Karl Goetz and made in Germany. It was distributed to commemorate the sinking of the Lusitania by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland on 7 May 1915. It showed the R.M.S. Lusitania sinking on the obverse and passengers buying tickets from a skeleton ticket seller on the reverse.

Obverse Description

The Lusitania sinking with an aircraft and cannon on her deck; around above, KEINE BANN WARE! (translation: No contraband!); in exergue, DER GROSSDAMPFER LVSITANIA DURCH EIN DEUTCHES TAVCHBOOT VERSENKT 5 MAY 1915 (translation: The great steamship Lusitania has been sunk by German submarines 5 May 1915).

Reverse Description

Death selling tickets from the Cunard office to a crowd of men, one of whom is reading a paper which warns of U-boat activity; around above, GESCHAFT VBER ALLES (translation: buisness above all); in exergue the original German artist's initials KG (Karl Goetz)

Edge Description

Plain

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