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WWI German Commemorative 1915 (Lusitania Medal) - With Original Box

AED 750

Romesh

26 items live

Item Details

Age

10+ years

Condition

Perfect inside and out

Usage

Still in original packaging

Posted on: 19th April 2026

Description

propaganda medal known as the Lusitania Medal, originally created by German artist Karl Goetz in 1915 after the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. Here’s a breakdown of each side:

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Side 1 (with skeleton and crowd)
• Text at top: “GESCHÄFT ÜBER ALLES” — “Business above all”
• Imagery: Shows passengers lining up at a ticket window manned by Death (skeleton), referencing how tickets were sold despite the danger.
• Additional text: “U-BOOTS-GEFAHR” (U-boat danger), “FAHRKARTEN AUSGABE” (ticket office).
• Interpretation: This side criticizes the British and Cunard Line for risking civilian lives despite warnings of submarine warfare.

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Side 2 (sinking ship)
• Text at top: “KEINE BANNWARE” — “No contraband”
• Imagery: The Lusitania sinking, listing over with cargo spilling out (suggesting it carried munitions).
• Text below:
“DER GROSSDAMPFER LUSITANIA DURCH EIN DEUTSCHES TAUCHBOOT VERSENKT 5 MAI 1915” —
“The large steamer Lusitania sunk by a German submarine, 5 May 1915.”
• Historical note: The actual sinking was on May 7, 1915; Goetz mistakenly inscribed May 5 on his original dies.

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Historical background
• The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner sunk by a German U-boat, causing a major outcry because of the loss of civilian lives.
• Goetz designed this medal to highlight British hypocrisy and to suggest that the ship was carrying war contraband.
• After the medal became infamous, the British made copies for propaganda purposes to inflame anti-German sentiment.