Deutscher Krieger Bund Long Island

Deutscher Krieger Bund Long Island

My collecting interests often lead me to stray off the beaten path. Instead of the Civil War or WWI &WWII, I find the Franco-Prussian War and it’s medals to be a most interesting collecting field. Not so much the medals issued by the winners and losers at the end of that war but the medals issued by the German immigrants in the United States to commemorate the event and honor their veterans. One such medal, illustrated here, was issued in 1895 on Long Island, New York. It is good quality silver and 35mm in diameter suspended on a black, white, red ribbon which was the German flag at that time. The obverse features a standing Germania within the legend “DEN VETERANEN GEWIDMET VOM D.K.B.L.I.” Which translates; Awarded to the veterans from the German War Veterans Association of Long Island.
The reverse features a radiant iron cross with the initials DKBLI in the center within the legend “JUBILAEUMS DENKMUENZE 1870-1895”. Which translates, Jubilee Commemorative 1870-1895.