I got this today for free, thought it was interesting and said I'd take a chance on it. It was labeled for $12, I said $6 he said free and here we are. Great condition, some wear, and toning. I'm guessing its a medal... The text fur hervorragende leistungen means something along the lines of 'for outstanding performance' The medal isn't magnetic either so perhaps silver? The back looks stamped, my coin dealer said someone etched it perhaps but it looks very clean. The reason I was very interested is the detail on this coin/medal is stunning and it bears some weight
After much much much tedious researching I've found some leads. Lots of design inspirations here http://fortiter.napoleonicmedals.org/medals/history/2nd_ital.htm I believe the female pictures is minerva
I dont think its minerva, she usually has a helmet on & carries a spear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minerva
Looks like a 19th century, possibly early 20th century bronze. Most coinage metals aren't magnetic, so that will only show if its a cheap fake. I like it, but again its a medal. The reverse looks like it was struck with the laurel and the center writing etched in later, probably made that way to customize the medal for presentation.
I took it out of the plastic holder and it certainly has a strong medal odor to it so more than likely bronze. I'll keep researching but if only a few were given out there's a strong chance I'll never find it. You're probably right on the Minerva, but I saw it as description on a similar german medal so assumed.
It looks German or Austrian to me - "fur herrvoragende leistungen" translates into "For Outstanding Achievements". I'm not sure about ZBA '22... perhaps it was a sports competition of some kind? 1922 would have been a pretty rough time in Germany, so there are many other things it might have been awarded for.
^ It is a 7 Unless they wrote their Z's different then. Thanks for the translation george. I'll try searching with it.
