Although I sold my other Goetz medals a couple of years ago, I have been looking for one or more to add to my new art medal collection. I always had a soft spot for his satirical medal about the sinking of the Lusitania, especially since it became the center piece of a propaganda war. The British seized on the mistaken date (May 5 instead of May 7) on the original medal as proof that the sinking was a diabolical plan and that Goetz designed the medal before the event. I had the chance recently to purchase a British lead copy (actually I think it might be zinc) in the original box with the original broadside. The box is not in great shape, but its the first I've seen outside one pictured in an article. I've never seen the broadside. In all, a nice set even if the box could be better.



For a larger image, easier to read, click here.

The ANS published a good article on medals of the period and include a picture of a well preserved box. You can read the article here.

This is the prime piece of false propaganda on the part of the British and the Americans. Much later on, it was determined that the Lusitania was indeed carrying munitions, rifles, shells etc. Narsty little secrets that were only revealed long after the fact, in fact after the lifetimes of any of the participants.

Thank you for sharing this, with the box and the paperwork it is a great piece of history about a very famous ship sinking.

I remember two or three years ago I put a bid on one like this (maybe the same?) medal.