Replica of the "Lusitania" Medallion
Production date
1915-1918
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Object detail
Description
Medallion, Obv: Picture of sinking ship with date '5 Mai 1915'. Rev: Portrait of figures lining up to purchase tickets from a skeleton, signifying the death passage. (NB accession number removed for display. Medal closest to door on right)
Classification
NUMISMATICS (MEDALS AND OTHER) Civil Medals
Production date
1915-1918
Measurements
Dia 56 x H4 mm
Media/Materials description
Iron
Signature/Marks
KEINE BANN WARE
DER GROSSDAMPLER / LUSITANIA / DURCH EIN DEUTSCHER / TOUCHBOOT VERSENKT / 5 MAI 1915
GESESCHAFT UBER ALLES
DER GROSSDAMPLER / LUSITANIA / DURCH EIN DEUTSCHER / TOUCHBOOT VERSENKT / 5 MAI 1915
GESESCHAFT UBER ALLES
History and use
The Lusitania medallion was at the centre of a famous propaganda campaign by Great Britain during World War 1. A Cunard liner, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine on 7 May 1915, killing over 1,200 men, women and children. When a German citizen named Karl Goetz designed and produced a satirical medallion about the sinking, the British propagandists ordered 300,000 British copies of Goetz’ medallion be made and circulated as evidence that Germany was gloating over the deaths of innocent civilians, and so the British created the myth that Goetz’ Lusitania medallion was an official commemoration of the sinking.
Goetz made two versions: the first had the date '5 Mai 1917' and the second '7 Mai 1917'. Goetz claimed the original version was a mistake, but this date contributed to the controversy as it appeared to indicate that the torpedoing was premeditated, as it was two days before the actual event.
Many replicas of the original German and British medallions have been made. This particular replica has the date spelt May rather than Mai, indicating the original was a British version, as this spelling appeared on the original British medallions.
Goetz made two versions: the first had the date '5 Mai 1917' and the second '7 Mai 1917'. Goetz claimed the original version was a mistake, but this date contributed to the controversy as it appeared to indicate that the torpedoing was premeditated, as it was two days before the actual event.
Many replicas of the original German and British medallions have been made. This particular replica has the date spelt May rather than Mai, indicating the original was a British version, as this spelling appeared on the original British medallions.
Associated person
Registration number
N153