The Sinking of the S. S. Lusitania
© sam64
Features
| Location |
Germany (1871-1948)
 |
|---|---|
| Type | Advertising medallions › Satirical medals |
| Year | 1915 |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 70.10 g |
| Diameter | 55 mm |
| Thickness | 4 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Number | N# 114297 |
| References | Frankenhuis# 1428 Maurice Frankenhuis. Catalog of Medals Relative to the World War 1914 – 1919. Self-published, Enschede, Netherlands. Laurence Brown. British Historical Medals. B.A. Seaby, London, United Kingdom (3 volumes). Christopher Eimer. British Commemorative Medals and their Values. London, United Kingdom (2 volumes). Gunter W. Kienast. The Medals of Karl Goetz. The Artus Company (2 volumes). |
Commemorative issue
Sinking of the Lusitania
Obverse
The Lusitania sinking in heavy seas; in five lines in exergue.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
KEINE BANN WARE
DER GROSSDAMPFER
LUSITANIA
DURCH EIN DEUTSCHES
TAUCHBOOT VERSENKT
5 MAI 1915
Translation:
no contraband!
the liner Lusitania sunk by a German submarine
Engraver: Karl Goetz
Reverse
Skeleton (as Death) standing left within ticket booth, queue of passangers to the left.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
GESCHAFT VBER ALLES
KOG
Translation: business above all
Engraver: Karl Goetz
Edge
Plain
Comments
Entering passenger service with the Cunard Line in 1907, the Lusitania continued the line’s heavily-traveled service between Liverpool and New York City. After the outbreak of World War I, however, relations between Great Britain and Germany diminished, as the two became enemies within the conflict. This lead to Germany’s declaration of submarine warfare upon the British Isles and a ‘no-sail zone’ for any vessel flying the British flag. On 7 May 1915, the Lusitania was identified by a German U-Boat, torpedoed, and sank in 18 minutes, killing over 60% of the passengers. The vessel went down 11 miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, and instantly became an iconic symbol for American involvement into the now global conflict.
Case of the United Kingdom restrike
German type a and d have a diameter of 57mm whereas the British medals have a diameter of 55mm.
An American copy from the time also exists, a Japanese copy has been made in the 70's and other modern museum reproductions and modern couterfeits also exist.
In total between 250.000 and 300.000 of the british restrike medals have been made.
Case of the United Kingdom restrike
German type a and d have a diameter of 57mm whereas the British medals have a diameter of 55mm.
An American copy from the time also exists, a Japanese copy has been made in the 70's and other modern museum reproductions and modern couterfeits also exist.
In total between 250.000 and 300.000 of the british restrike medals have been made.
See also
Manage my collection
Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.
| Date | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC | Frequency | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undetermined | |||||||||||||||
| 1915 | Eimer 1941A a; with in inscription May and Geschaft;Stamped K. GOETZ on edge | 9% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | Eimer 1941A b; with in inscription May and Geschaft;no inscription on edge, without cardboard box, descriptive label on lid and propaganda leaflet | 54% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | Eimer 1941A c; with in inscription May and Geschaft;no inscription on edge, with cardboard box, descriptive label on lid and propaganda leaflet | 11% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | Eimer 1941A d; with in inscription May and Geschaft;Stamped K. GOETZ on edge struck and not cast | 3% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | Eimer 1941A d; with in inscription May and Geschaft;Stamped K. GOETZ on edge struck and not cast | 9% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | German Medal with inscription Mai and Geschäft | 9% | |||||||||||||
| 1915 | German Medal with inscription Mai and Geschäft and with the corrected date 7 Mai 1915 | 0% | |||||||||||||
Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this item. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.
Get this item
No member from this site currently wants to exchange it.
Numista Rarity index: 74
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.
Past sales
| Pictures | Sale | Date | Version | Grade | Sold price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Katz Auction 120 Lot 2040 
|
13 Apr 2024 | Undetermined | UNC |
USD 51.86
(EUR 45.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 92 Lot 703
|
15 Aug 2023 | Undetermined | UNC |
USD 104.88
(EUR 91.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 177 Lot 791
|
6 Dec 2025 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 25.36
(EUR 22.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 158 Lot 538
|
14 May 2025 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 41.49
(EUR 36.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 144 Lot 1144
|
17 Nov 2024 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 47.25
(EUR 41.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 131 Lot 2018
|
26 Jun 2024 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 35.73
(EUR 31.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
 |
Katz Auction 120 Lot 2041
|
13 Apr 2024 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 53.02
(EUR 46.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
|
|
Katz Auction 108 Lot 556
|
13 Jan 2024 | Undetermined | AU |
USD 71.46
(EUR 62.00) (+ buyer's premium) |
|
| © Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp. | ||||||
Contribute to the catalogue
Modify or add data on this pageRegister a set with this type
Register a past auction sale
Register an example of this type
Duplicate this page
