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

twenty years after bismark’s death, 1918, satirical bronze medal by Karl Goetz, Bismark in clouds, legend below, reverse worker about to mount a horse, weeping figure of Germany in foreground, crown on floor, 58mm (K. 219). Extremely fine (£40-50)

The obverse refers to Bismark’s words “twenty years after my death I shall rise out of my casket and find out whether Germany passed muster before the world”. The reverse showing a worker representing the Soical Democrats mounting a horse and a crown lying in the dust indicates Goetz’s view that Germany has not passed the test.