Karl Goetz Patterns - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 2,864
retiredkper Pillar of the Community United States 541 Posts	Posted 05/30/2014 8:40 pm In 1913 Bavarian medalist Karl Goetz issued a series of pattern coin designs. These were unofficial patterns issued by Goetz to show the world what he could do and of course to sell commercially. He produced two pattern series', one featuring Kaiser Wilhelm II and another with the portrait of Bavarian King Ludwig III. Through out his long and prolific career most of his designs contained political commentary which was not always complimentary to the ruling powers at the time of issue. With that in mind here is a 1913 Bavarian 20 mark Goetz pattern. It is gilded silver, 22.5mm in diameter and weighs 4.47 grams. The obverse shows Ludwig III wearing an old fashioned ruffled collar. Could this mean that Goetz was trying to say that the king or his thinking was old and obsolete? The reverse depicts a strong man struggling under the weight of the Imperial German crown. Was Goetz suggesting that the crown or monarchy was a burden on Germany or Bavaria? Report this Post to the Staff

retiredkper Pillar of the Community United States 541 Posts	Posted 05/30/2014 8:43 pm Here is the reverse; Report this Post to the Staff
thedollarman Pillar of the Community Canada 4911 Posts	Posted 05/30/2014 9:41 pm Wonderful pattern, as far as the meanings I'm not sure. Perhaps the obverse means that the Reich was true to its roots and he was trying to show the image of tradition and culture was still there. The reverse could mean that the man on the coin(an image of the German people or the royals) was carrying the crown(Germany and the Reich) towards a bright and good future along with the help of the German eagle(inspiration and patriotism). That's the way I'd like to see it anyway, shame the war kicked in soon after though. Feel free to call me Will. Report this Post to the Staff
Mr T Pillar of the Community Australia 2180 Posts	Posted 05/30/2014 11:24 pm I read in an article about the coinage of World War I that the man on the reverse was carrying the German crown without flinching. Report this Post to the Staff
retiredkper Pillar of the Community United States 541 Posts	Posted 05/31/2014 12:07 am Thanks guys, yes the man carrying the crown does look heroic. Since this was 1913 I'm sure Goetz was still in a positive mood. Report this Post to the Staff
chrisild Pillar of the Community Germany 1238 Posts	Posted 05/31/2014 06:25 am Quote: most of his designs contained political commentary which was not always complimentary to the ruling powers at the time of issue Goetz's propaganda medals were usually attacks on what he perceived to be his country's enemies. Don't think that the rulers in his own country had many problems with that. ;) Christian Report this Post to the Staff
retiredkper Pillar of the Community United States 541 Posts	Posted 05/31/2014 11:31 am True, until the Nazis came on the political scene when some of his medals were critical of them. He did survive the Nazi era so I guess he knew when tow the line. Report this Post to the Staff
chrisild Pillar of the Community Germany 1238 Posts	Posted 06/02/2014 04:50 am Ah yes, in the early 1920s (Hitler's attempted coup in Munich) Goetz actually made a medal that made fun about the nazis. Well, technically he sure was good. Politically, well, in 1933 he made a "Wake up Germany" medal featuring Hitler who had just become chancellor. Whether Goetz was a nazi himself -- probably not, just a nationalist and racist. Since designing medals, and having them produced, was how made a living, it may have been tough to start something completely new ... Christian Report this Post to the Staff
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