Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Historical Medals and Banknotes

First World War, “Frieden”, uniface iron satirical medal by Arnold Zadikow, undated, possibly c. 1916, figure of Death, beating a drum and holding a laurel spray, running to right over a field of skulls, 63mm. Low relief but extremely fine for issue, rare (£40-50)

An example of this medal was acquired by the British Museum in 1980 (Acquisitions of Medals, 1978-1982, BMOP 42 Germany 81). A powerful medal: the sentiment expressed by the artist is surely that the only victor of the War was Death. The note in the British Museum catalogue states that the medallist died in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp in 1943.