Germany: Boer War Satirical: Hyaena Catching Birds
|
|
|
|
|
Form:
|
Circular. Aluminium medal with attached loop.
|
|
By:
|
Messrs. Beyenbach of Wiesbaden, Germany |
|
Date:
|
1900 |
|
Ref:
|
AM: 89; Hern: 204; ME: Germany 4; Laidlaw: 0213a;
|
|
Variations:
|
| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
|---|
| 33 mm | Silver | | $900 | | 33 mm | Bronze | | $550 | | 33 mm | Gilt | | $550 | | 33 mm | Aluminium | | $300 |
|
|
Edge:
|
Plain.
|
|
Obverse:
|
Divided into three portions by two horizontal lines. Upper portion in German: “BURENKRIEG (in an arc) / 1899-1900”. Central wide band, hyaena facing left crushing a bird (the OFS) with its left paw while trying to catch a second bird (presumably the Transvaal) with its right. Lower portion in German: “Da sprach der Mõrder / ihr seid mein, denn ich / bin gross und ihr / seid klein (thus said the murderer: you are mine because I am big and you are small)”. At foot, maker's mark: "B" on caduceus.
|
|
Reverse:
|
Across in German: “HERR LASS STURME / GEH’N UND KOMMEN / JEDE PRUFUNG SOLL UNS / FROMMEN / ABER NIMM UNS EINES NICHT / RAUM UND LUFT UND / HIMMELSLICHT. (Lord, let storms come and go. Each affliction will strengthen us, but of these things deprive us not: space, air and the light of heaven.)". At top, five-pointed star. Between ornaments at foot, maker's mark: "B" on caduceus.
|
|
Notes:
|
Beyenbach was the name of a private mint; the engraver is not known. One of these medals was probably presented to President Kruger.
A medal with a similar obverse having French text was also made.
|
