100959 | UNITED STATES & GERMANY. Woodrow Wilson cast bronze Medal.

100959 | UNITED STATES & GERMANY. Woodrow Wilson cast bronze Medal. Issued 1915. American Neutrality (57mm, 82.99 g, 12h). By K. Goetz in München.

 

• WOODROW • WILSON • / LIBERTY • NEVTRALITY • HVMANITY, bust of U.S. president Woodrow Wilson facing slightly right, wearing laurel wreath and stole decorated with imperial eagle of Germany and double eagle of Austria-Hungary / AMERIKA'S NEVTRALES • HANDELN (America's "neutral" action), Uncle Sam seated left on canon balls, presenting battleship and holding bag of money [$]100[,]000; canon in background. Edge: Plain.

 

Kienast 149; The Art of Devastation, p. 143, fig. 6 & p. 274, no. 69; Böttcher Coll. 5428. Choice Mint State. Pleasing brown surfaces, with great relief.

 

Following the outbreak of the European conflict that would become the world's first war, the United States immediately wanted to refrain from entering into the fray, with President Woodrow Wilson declaring that America would have a policy of strict and impartial neutrality. What was expressed publicly by the government, however, didn't match private sentiments, with numerous American institutions lending financial support to the Allies, giving the United States a stake in the outcome. After the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, sentiments shifted even further, with increased support of not only continuing financial aid, but also outright entry into the growing conflict. This medal pokes fun at Wilson's neutrality as seen from the German point of view, with Uncle Sam handing over money and munitions to Germany's enemies.

 

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