100486 | GERMANY. Canary Breeders' Association silver Medal.

100486 | GERMANY. Silver Prize Medal. Struck circa 1925 (engraved 1932). For Meritorious Achievements Presented by the Osterland Canary Breeders' Association (43mm, 29.25 g, 12h). By O. Oertel in Berlin.

 

FÜR VERDIENSTVOLLE LEISTUNGEN, canary standing right on branch / Oak wreath containing engraving: O. K. V. / –1932– / S.K. Edge: SILBER 990.

 

Choice Mint State. Highly lustrous, with an enchanting golden tone throughout and cobalt near the peripheries; some very light rub and contact marks near the central reverse field, along with a minor rim bruise.

 

The practice of breeding and keeping birds––known as aviculture––has been a long-standing hobby of bird enthusiasts, with the Avicultural Society of America being founded in 1927. In Europe, however, the organized practice dates back even further, with numerous local and regional clubs––especially in Germany––dedicated to the pursuit in the 19th century. Similar to kennel clubs, these groups would organize competitions in which a participant’s flock could be judged against their peers, with the top finishers receiving prize medals for their bird(s). These medals were sometimes struck in different metals in order to distinguish placement, while other times the ranking may be indicated in the text. To add a further degree of personalization, some were engraved in order to convey the specific chapter which hosted the competition and/or the recipient of the prize. These medals also presented their designer with an excellent chance to showcase their avian artistry, as few aspects of numismatics display birds as the prime subject and in such detail.

 

Sorry, this item is no longer available.