102437 | GERMANY. Naval Warfare silver Medal.

102437  |  GERMANY. Naval Warfare silver Medal. Issued 1915. On submarine engagement and the use of the u-boat (33mm, 14.79 g, 12h). By E. Wrede for L. C. Lauer in Nürnberg.

 

Giant (Poseidon?) wielding a club, fending off Triton attacking with spear from below the sea // Naval flag of the German Empire billowing right above stylized waves; in six lines below, MEERESTÜCKE UMGIBT DICH, / VERNICHTUNG DROHT DIR VOM FEIND, / –DOCH GEFAHR NICHT ACHTEND / SUCHST IHN, VERDIRBST IHN, / SCHÜTZST HEIMAT UND HERD / HERRLICHES U-BOOT! (The sea surrounds you, and destruction is threatened by the enemy. But fear not, beautiful submarines. Seek out and destroy the enemy in order to protect home and hearth!). Edge: 990.

 

Zetzmann 2120 (RR). PCGS SP-64. Rather brilliant and mirrored, with some cobalt-magenta toning in the fields. A fairly rare and interesting allegorical issue from the World War I series.

 

Given Britain's historic boast of seafaring dominance dating back to the late 16th century and the Spanish Armada, Germany sought a novel, very modern approach to maritime supremacy: the "u-Boot," or submarine. These submerged vessels allowed for the element of surprise and ability to patrol the seas virtually undetected—a gamechanger in the ever-evolving aspect of modern warfare. In this particular medal, Wrede appears to be presenting Britain as Poseidon, with Germany attacking from below as the younger, more elusive Triton.

 

Upload: 15 November 2023.

 

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