Summary

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

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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