| Brief Description |
This is a British copy of a German medal struck to commemorate the sinking of the SS "Lusitania" and reissued by Selfridge's, the famed London department store.
The original medal designer was Karl Goetz of Munich, Germany, and his intent was satirical.
On the obverse is a scene showing Death at the New York booking office of the Cunard Line, issuing tickets to passengers; above, in German, are the words"BUSINESS BEFORE EVERYTHING". In the exergue (a space on a coin or medal below the central part of the design) are the initials "K. G."
On the reverse is an artist's impression of the "Lusitania" sinking in mid-ocean; above are the words in German, "NO CONTRABAND!". In the exergue is the inscription in German, "THE LINER / LUSITANIA / SUNK BY A GERMAN / SUBMARINE" followed by the date "5 MAY 1915" in English.
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