SMS Emden Medallion

Circular iron medallion. The obverse features the words 'FREGATTENKAPITAN VON MULLER' around the edges with a relief portrait of the captain in the centre. The reverse depicts in relief a picture of the ship with the words 'S.M.S. EMDEN' above it and the crest of the city of Emden below and the date '1914'. Around the outside are the words EINE.NEUE.STARKERE.EMDEN.WIRD.ESTEHEN.W.I.R.' translated to mean 'A new, stronger Emden will arise'. The last three letters are imperial markings regarding the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The artist's name, 'ZIEGLER', is impressed below the relief portrait.

Early in the war the light cruiser SMS Emden became one of the most famous ships in the German navy, and her captain, Karl von Muller, a national hero. Between August and November 1914, she sank or captured 23 merchant ships, a cruiser and a destroyer. On November 9 she was destroyed by HMAS Sydney off the Cocos Islands northwest of Australia. However, the exploits of von Muller and the Emden continued to be celebrated in Germany and this medallion was struck in honour of her achievements. The medallion might also have served as a propaganda piece, vowing that a new Emden would sail again.