Obverse:The famous 'Lusitania' medallion designed by Karl Goetz in Germany depicting the sinking of this 'innocent civilian' ocean liner by a German U-boat.

Much controversy has arisen concerning this medal, which has English and American copies. This is a copy of unknown origin. It is cast in iron (as the original) but the casting is rougher than I have previously seen. Nevertheless this represents an important stage in the history and developement of the medal.

The Engraver - Karl Goetz said that it was issued not as glorification of the killing of so many innocent civilians, but of the greed of the Cunard company selling tickets to civilians on a ship which the company knew was carrying munitions of war, thereby making it a 'legitimate' military target.

A photo-copy of the original propaganda leaflet is supplied with this medallion