1915, Cast bronze uniface, 63.5mm, 66.0g, UNC, Ernsting WVZ 59.
Flat surface ends at slightly raised edge, raised plastic image with flat exergue.
From the left, a powerful fighter figure in right profile wearing spurred high boots, chest armor, saber at his waist, shields on his hands, and a highly plumed helmet. Carrying a bowl of bombs in his right hand, he crouches slightly to carefully deliver a bomb from his left hand into the already burning and smoking city. In the middle of the exergue are the incised initials, L G, of the artist. An incuse rim punch reads; C.POELLATH SCHROBENH.
An interpretation of the iconography remains elusive although we might surmise that the fighter is a British cuirassier and, therefore, the author may have had in mind a particular event of WWI, namely the British bombardment of the Ottoman forts of the Dardanelles in early 1915.
Rarity: R-7
Known Examples: 7
Number in Museum Collections: 6 located in B2, L2, M, N, P, and S.
Number in Private Collections: 1
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R-6 Very Rare (13-30)
R-7 Extremely rare (4-12)
R-8 Unique or Nearly So (1- 3)
N New York, American Numismatic Society.
P Paris, Musée d’Historie Contemporaine (Museum of Contemporary History).
R Ramat Aviv, Kadman Numismatic Museum.
S Stuttgart, Württembergisches Landesmuseum (Württemberg Regional Museum).
V Vienna, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Museum of Military History.
V2 Vienna, Kunsthistoriches Museum (Art History Museum).
B2 Brüssel, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Albert I Penningkabinett (Royal Library).
D Dresden, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen (State Art Collection).
H Hamburg, Hamburger Kunsthalle (Hamburg Arts Center).
L1 Leverkusen, Städtisches Museum Schloß Morsbroich (Museum Morsbroich).
L2 London, British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals.
L3 London, Imperial War Museum.