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 Replies: 12 / Views: 2,964 |
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New Member
South Africa
12 Posts |
hey hey This has had me baffled for some time. If there is anyone who can help me identify, grade or anything this "golden thingy?!" please do! Thanx very much!   Edited by Sap
10/07/2008 04:07 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
From what I can read, I can make out enough to see it's from Prussian Germany with the Kaiser on the obverse, and what I read on the reverse says "I will first serve my state". Native German speakers please correct me. I don't see this one in my Krause catalogue, so perhaps it's before 1901? Or some kind of medallion?  It also appears mounted at some point. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Hello and welcome,
The obverse reads WIHELM II DEUTSCHER KAISER KONIG V PREUSSEN. ( Willaim II German Emperor and King of Prussia) Wilhelm II ruled from 1888-1918. I haven't seen this reverse so I don't think it is a coin but a medal of some kind. Condition wise, it shows damage around the rim and on the inscription. Based on that I'd grade it as VG.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Ich bin entschlossen Frieden zu halten mit jedermann soviel an Mir liegt.
You'll need more historical context than I can provide regarding the medal--the saying obviously has something to do with being "determined to keep peace" with those who keep peace with me (or something close to that). Is it a medal commemorating a treaty or state visit? I don't know, but I do believe the above to be the entirety of the legend...
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New Member
 South Africa
12 Posts |
Thanx guys.
i have a 5 mark from 1902 and a few other coins with the same ruler on the back so I figured the date(ish) and thanx for the translation(that had me curious also).
any suggestions to how I could find out a bit more about this medalion.
there is what appears to be the remains of it being on a chain or ribbon of sorts at the top...so I'm thinking the fact that its not a coin is a dern good chance!
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
651 Posts |
ICH WILL MEINES STAATES ERSTER DIENER SEIN means : I want to be my state's first servant.
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Moderator
Australia
16836 Posts |
Nope, it's definitely not a coin, but a commemorative medal of some kind. I'm no native German speaker, but I think a more literal translation is, "I want my State to first be yours". I'm not sure whether the "you" in this instance is referring to God, or to the German people. No facts, just a theory: to me, it sounds like an excerpt from an official speech, perhaps even his coronation. The writing around the outside on the reverse side might offer further clues to the ID. The pics are too small to read it clearly; all I can see is at the 1-2 o'clock position, "...mit jedenmann's..." (...with every man's...). What does the rest of it say? Edit: bart posted while I was typing. His translation is probably better.  Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
Edited by Sap
08/19/2008 02:46 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
Sap--check my post above, I believe that's the entirety of the phrase, but admit my translation might need more work. Info thus far leads me to believe it's a coronation piece.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Quote:
ICH WILL MEINES STAATES ERSTER DIENER SEIN means : I want to be my state's first servant. I agree with Bart.  I did not look too closely, and had read "ersten dienen", which changes the meaning. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
Dank yew berry much, Bart.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
That is a very interesting medal !....... |
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Valued Member
United States
419 Posts |
Thanks for sharing reminds me I need to brush up on my German!
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Valued Member
Netherlands
376 Posts |
This was a medal which was given to recruits when they enlisted the German army round and about 1914. Slogan as mentionned stood at enlisting posters in the street, like your USA's Uncle Sam needs You. Greetings from Rotterdam, Holland.
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Replies: 12 / Views: 2,964 |
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Posted 08/18/2008 10:59 pm
