Germany - Imperial - Prussia: 1914 German Commemorative Medallion honouring Paul von Brietenbach, a prominent Prussian politician and Minister of Public Works, and as produced by the Eisenbahn Töchterhort (Railway Daughter’s Orphanage / Foundation), a charitable institution for the daughters of deceased railway workers. Produced in darkened magnetic cast iron, measuring approximately 50 mm in diameter, the medal was designed by the notable German sculptor Arthur Lewin-Funcke, with on the obverse the relief bust left facing of Paul von Brietenbach, the politicians name embossed: ‘Paul V. Brietenbach’ and two Iron Cross symbols, with the reverse depicting a running male holding a torch and bared sword, set against the winged wheel symbol of the Prussian railways. A superb example of type.
Condition: maintaining nearly all of its dark patination, overall Good Very Fine or better.
Paul von Brietenbach was central to the expansion of the Prussian State Railways and also the construction of the Berlin Underground. The railways and the maintenance of them were also crucial in getting the Germans troops to the front during 1914.
