(http://crestviewcable.com/~archy2/gies/totentanz.jpg)
Uniface medal in bronze 120.5mm by Ludwig Gies
In exergue TOTENTANZ 1914 - 1917 in incused
Death is a skeleton and has his left arm over the knapsack of the first soldier, encouraging him and the troop of German infantry on towards their fate.
Death fixes his eyes on the soldiers behind.
The soldiers are marching but their heads and gaze are looking downwards. The various positions of rifles show they are very tired and not the fighting force they started out as.
Another Totentanz medal will be on display amongst many others at the The British Museum they are commemorating the centenary of the First World War with an exhibition about German medals entitled The Dance of Death. The temporary display is organised by The British Museum's Department of Coins and Medals which will open in 2014 running from May until October
Further information http://www.1914.org/news/the-dance-of-death-british-museum-exhibition-in-2014/ (http://www.1914.org/news/the-dance-of-death-british-museum-exhibition-in-2014/)