The Lusitania Medal

Lusitania Medal - Face

   During the First World War, the British passenger liner, R.M.S. Lusitania, was on its return trip from the United States, when it was torpedoed by a German submarine on 7 May, 1915.  Of the 1,951 passengers and crew, 1,198 perished in the sinking. In August 1915, the Munich medallist and sculptor Karl Goetz, produced a medal with a limited run of 500 medals as a satirical attack on the Cunard Line for continuing to do business as usual during wartime.   The medal carried an incorrect date of 5 May instead of 7 May as the day of the sinking.…

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Founding of the Republic of China

60th Anniversary. Medal

              This article is credited to Michael Wilson of the North Shore Numismatic Society. This silver medal was struck by Taiwan on National Day, October 10, 1971, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China. It features a portrait of, then president Chiang Kai-shek on the obverse, along with the inscription “The 60th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China” The reverse features two joined Chinese characters for the number “10”  (++) symbolizing the tenth day of the tenth month of 1911, the day of the Wuchang…

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Patron Saint of Numismatists

 Did you know that there is a patron saint of numismatists? His name is St. Eligius. Eligius was born near Limoges in France in 590.  He became an extremely skillful metalsmith and was appointed master of the mint under King Clotaire II of Paris. Eligius developed a close friendship with the King and his reputation as an outstanding metalsmith became widespread. Eligius later fulfilled his desire to serve God as a priest, after being ordained in 640. Then he was made bishop of Noyon and Tournai.  Eligius died on 1 December 659 or 660 and was buried at Noyon.  He is the patron…

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