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Military and Related Tokens and Medals
H
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Litzzmann was a German World War I general and later Nazi
Party member and state politician. He is best known for his victory
at the Battle of Łódź (1914) where he earned the nickname “the
Lion of Brzeziny.” He became a member of Nazi Party in 1929
having previously become a member of SA; he was elected to the
Reichstag in 1932 but declined to serve on grounds that he had
responsibilities to the Prussian State Parliament (where he was
its most senior member [also known as Father of the House or
Alterspräsident]).
After the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the towns of Łódź and
Brzeziny were renamed in his honour. On 11 April 1940 Łódź
was officially retitled Litzmannstadt, while Brzeziny later became
Löwenstadt (lion city). After World War II the towns reverted to
their Polish names. (G)
61.
AMERICA’S WAR MEDAL, 1917
Baxter 315.( Var.).;
Marqusee 362. 63.4mm. Bronze with ornamental top. Theodore
Spicer Simson, Sc. (Gorham) Choice Uncirculated. The
obverse bears the arms of the Allies on a shield, supported by
the American eagle. At top and bottom is the motto, DO RIGHT
AND FEAR NO MAN. On the reverse is an incused American
shield and the date of our entry into the war. The shield is
framed in laurel and surrounded by a Lincoln quotation, THAT
GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE SHALL NOT PERISH
The motto on the obverse is taken from the inscription of
George Washington’s dress sword. A rather large number of
31mm medals were sold to the public at 50¢ in bronze and
$2.50 in silver. A limited but unknown number were offered in
this larger size at a cost if $20 in bronze and $30 in silver. A
very small number of gold specimens in the 31mm size were
presented to important persons in the war effort. The medal
was conceived by the American Fund for French Wounded and
Lot 60
the profits from its sale were used to carry on its relief work
abroad among French soldiers and in war-stricken districts of
France. (G)
62.
SAME,
as above, but struck in a smaller 31mm. size with an
integral loop at top. (C)
63.
PEACE WITH RUMANIA, 1918.
Kienast 208. 57.8mm.
Cast Bronze. Karl Goetz, Sc. (K.GOETZ incused on edge.)
Uncirculated. Obverse: FRIEDE . MIT . RVMAENIEN (Oil
peace with Rumania) / in field: OL - Bouquet made of sunflower,
palm branch and flower. Reverse: AM 6. MAI 1918 - An eagle
standing on kettle which releases steam; to l. with laurel branch
Lot 61