VOCABULARY TERM: SATIRICAL MEDAL

 

Satirical Medal. A medallic item whose theme is basically humorous, often cutting or critical much like an editorial cartoon. The undisputed master of satirical medals was German medalist Karl Goetz (pronounced gertz) who chose the cast medal as his favorite art form. Although he made patterns and dies, had medals struck, even had small items coined, he created over 700 different numismatic and medallic items by casting. It was his theme and style that was so intriguing.

Inspired by a current event Goetz would prepare a medallic design with a highly critical viewpoint. He was highly nationalistic (pro-Germany), disrespectful of authority (even critical of Hitler who he survived), offensive to alien countries and policies (anti-British and French), insulting to local authorities and national critics. In short he would have made an excellent editorial cartoonist had he not been a highly talented medalist. He handled the theme with bitting humor. It brought smiles to the viewer once his medallic concept was understood. His most famous work was the Sinking of the Lusitania Medal. Other German medalists imitated his work but never achieved quite the cutting edge of his satire.

 

In America, medalist and sculptor Paul Manship prepared a noted satirical medal, Kulture in Belgium Medal of 1918. It displayed Kaiser Wilhelm II with a necklace of skulls (deaths of civilians) on the obverse, with a German soldier carrying off a squirming mother, her dead child lies on the ground. It was as if Manship met Goetz head on with his own technique. Other satirical medals have been issued, including a series issued in the 1970s by numismatist Robert W. Julian. Satirical medals cut right to the point and employ symbolism to its greatest medallic degree.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Satirical Medal (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516700)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW BOOK: THE MEDALS OF THE LUSITANIA (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n36a02.html)
MORE ON MANSHIP'S KULTUR IN BELGIUM MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n13a09.html)

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