America’s Contribution to the War
1917 Cast Iron uniface Medllion. 99mm, Ernsting 161; Frankenhuis 1320
A ‘Trojan’ sea-monster stealthily floats left, past docked passenger liners and the Manhattan skyline under the cover of night. Below, 1914-1917
No one was fooled by America’s claims of neutrality during most of the war, certainly not Gies. Here Gies laughs at American attempts to hide this thinly veiled fact. The rabbit-like figurehead of the vessel, wearing an Uncle Sam top hat, vomits coins meant for allies from it over-stuffed gullet, a small group of men below. The dorsal ‘shell’ of the monster is made up of many carefully loaded artillery guns and cannons. Even more bags of money are piled upon the stern. America hopes no one will notice.
One of Gies’ best.
Bronze examples can be found in the following museums:Munich, Staatliche Münzsammlung (National Coin Collection).
Paris, Musée d’Historie Contemporaine (Museum of Contemporary History).
Stuttgart, Württembergisches Landesmuseum (Württemberg Regional Museum).
Vienna, Kunsthistoriches Museum (Art History Museum).
Private Collections - 2
Iron examples, WVZ-161aLondon, British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals.
New York, American Numismatic Society.
Vienna, Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Museum of Military History.
Private collections - Ernsting doesn't list any but I am aware of at least 5.
