Germany (Weimar Republic): specimen gold medal memorializing the schooner "Niobe" shipwreck, 1932

Germany (Weimar Republic): specimen gold medal memorializing the schooner "Niobe" shipwreck, 1932

PCGS SP66. Cert. #37874373.

Numista-69196, Schlumberger-123 Au.

.750 gold (18 karat). Diameter: 22.5 mm. Weight: 6.45 g. Mint: Berlin. Mintage: unknown.

Obverse: ALLES FÜRS VATERLAND VOLKSSPENDE-NIOBE ("All for the Fatherland/people's donation/Niobe").

Reverse: DEN OPFERN VON FEHMARN ZUM GEDENKEN ("In memory of the victims of Fehmarn").

Lettered edge: PREUSS. STAATSMÜNZE - GOLD 18 KARAT ("Prussian state coin, Gold, 18 Karat").

This handsome medal memorializes the sinking of the schooner Niobe, which capsized in a sudden white squall on July 26 1932, near the German island of Fehmarn in the Baltic Sea, with the loss of 69 lives. These Niobe donation medals were more commonly issued in a larger 36.15 mm silver format, but a few were made in this much scarcer 22.5 mm gold format.

I previously owned this piece but sold it during a financial pinch in 2020. There was some seller's remorse, so I was pleased when it was offered back to me in December 2025. I acquired it for the second time with the trade of a 1787 Massachusetts cent.

PCGS encapsulated the medal with the cross side (reverse) facing forward, so that is how I oriented it in these images.

Ex-Chris Bower, 31 December 2025.



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