|
|
| |
|
|
A very unusual and very fine WWI German medal commemorating the SMS Moltke, a battlecruiser that fought with the German High Seas Fleet in WWI.
Size: 1 1/4" diameter.
One side has a great relief of the battlecrusier steaming into action. "S.M.S. MOLTKE" is in relief above the ship.
The other side of the medal has a handsome relief portrait of Prussian general Moltke the Elder. Around the outer edge are the words "ERST WAEGEN=DANN WAGEN MOLTKE." At the base of the relief is the name "Kuhl" which is likely the artist. Moltke was famous for important military victories against Austria in 1866 and during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.
|
|
 |
The medal has a nice weight and appears to be made of bronze, but not absolutely sure. It is nicely made with excellent detail. I assume it had a ribbon, but there is not one with the medal.
Condition: Very good. We have not cleaned this medal at all. There are a few darker areas on the surface, but I don’t know what they are.
The famous S.M.S. Moltke, launched in 1911, survived four hits at the battle of Jutland and was hit by several torpedoes in other operations during the war. At the end of the war, she was one of the captured German ships that was scuttled at Scapa Flow.
I do know that German Imperial Navy items are scarce. This is a wonderful original medal honoring a specific ship that played a role in important WWI naval actions.
|
|
|
