Poor Man's Coin Medal Of 1871

When the Franco Prussian war ended in a Prussian (German) victory a wave of patriotic celebration and relief swept across the land. There was a flood of coins and medals commemorating the victory or the return of peace available in many metals and on all price levels. Even the poorest and the youngest school children had some affordable options like this Baden one kreuzer coin of 1871 KM-252. The one kreuzer was a low value copper coin nearly the same size as our nickel. The example illustrated here was silver washed and looped. One can easily envision a school teacher buying these in bulk for his or her pupils or as gifts for the elderly. It must have been a rare treat to see a whole country momentarily united in spirit.