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Germany: Boer War: "Wer als Held sein Blut für der Freiheit ..."

Germany: Boer War: "Wer als Held sein Blut für der Freiheit ..."Germany: Boer War: "Wer als Held sein Blut für der Freiheit ..."
Form: Circular with attached loop for a ring
By: Messrs. Beyenbach of Wiesbaden, Germany
Date: 1900
Ref:  AM: 90; Hern: 206; Laidlaw: 0999;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
39.1 mmAluminium6.4 gm$260

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Within a beaded border, two Boer soldiers fighting in mountainous terrain. The first, having been shot, falling down, right hand still clutching his rifle, hat knocked off. The second Boer soldier, lying down firing his rifle. In the exergue: “1899-1900”. Legend outside border: "Wer als Held sein Blut für der Freiheit Gut seinem Volke gab der schläft süss im Grab. (A hero who gives his blood for the freedom of his good people sleeps sweetly in his grave)". Maker’s monogram “B” at the foot between five-pointed stars.

Reverse: Three vertical panels with oak and floral branches in the side panels. In the middle panel, radiant five-pointed star at the top, below that across: "Herr sieh die Not- / in Schmach u. Tod! / Goldgier’ge Brut / lacht unsrer Thränen / lechzt gleich Hyänen / nach unserm Blut. / Steh du uns bei / Herr mach uns / Frei! (Lord behold the emergency in shame and death! Gold greed breeding hyenas who laugh at our tears equally crave after our blood. Lord stand by us and make us free!)" and, at the foot, maker’s monogram “B” between ornaments.

Notes: The obverse design appears also on Laidlaw 0548.