GOETZ: K-265 Gessler Hat

cacheman

K-265 THE GESSLER HAT IN THE PALATINATE (Der Gesslerhut in der Pfalz), 1920, Cast AE, 59.6mm, Choice UNC.

In Swiss history the Austrian baliff Gessler’s demanded that his hat be honored led to the dramatic deeds of William Tell. On the obverse of this medal the French soldier’s helmet on the bundle of fasces (symbol of power) takes the place of the Gessler hat. The German women in the Palatinate are not safe under the occupation as evidenced by the French colonial troops frisking and the pulling pigtails of the little girls while trampling a woman at the same time. The German men, who appear sick and old, are marched off by a regular uniformed French soldier. Inscription on the obverse reads “The Gessler hat in the Palatinate.”

The reverse reads “In the year of grace 1920” with Germania bound to a rather phallic upraised arm and fist while being tormented (tickled) with a branch by the newly arrived French colonial troops still in their native African tribal clothing. A French soldier watches and allows.

oldshep

Egad - He felt strongly about this subject it appears. What a statement!!
Shep

1jester

I remember this medal. It's a great one.



edit: I understand that William Tell was only a mythological character and never existed in real life.

cacheman

...and undoubtedly the breeding ground for Hitler's disdain and, soon to follow, "superior race" beliefs... Plain and simple though, the French intentionally brought in the black colonial troops to degrade and belittle the Germans.

1jester

Yes, and the Germans are probably still mad at the French for retaining the Alsace-Lorraine area, where all the old folks still speak perfect German, just as they do in the Rheinland Pfalz. When I lived there, we used to travel to Alsace and speak to the older natives in the same language as our neighbors in the Pfalz.

cosmicdebris

Pure history