World War I

 

K-239

 

OH, OLD IMPERIAL GLORY

(O alte Kaiserherrlichkeit)

 

1918, Cast bronze, satirical medal, 59.5mm, 68.60g.

 

Obverse:  The officers and men of Kaiser Wilhelm I pay homage to him on Jan. 18, 1871 in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles; Bismarck, left foreground, stands nearby. Inscription, "O alte Kaiserherrlichkeit" (O Ancient Imperial Grandeur).

 

Reverse:  Inscription, "Wohin bist du entschwunden" (Where have you disappeared). A giant statue of an ox-head designed to resemble the face of Kaiser Wilhelm II wearing a laurel wreath; two people are shown worshiping the Ox/Kaiser, while Germania sits at the base of the statue and cries. Dated, November 9, 1919.

 

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Comparison between Germany's heights of glory after defeating the French under Frederick I and the shameful termination of the monarchy in Germany under Wilhelm II.

 

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