German Medal

Q: I bought this pendant medal at an estate sale about 8 years ago.. It has a gold coin surrounded by a wreath of green laurel leaves and a flower. One side has an enameled image of Imperial Germany’s Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II with the Latin words for “Wilhelm II King and Emperor of Germany” written around it. There is a small letter “H” at the bottom. The other side has an enameled royal crown over the letter “W,” and the year MCMX (1910). It’s 1 1/4 inches tall. I found a similar medal in the Bode Museum in Berlin made by Wilhelm Haverkamp, a famous German artist and medalist. Who should I contact to authenticate the medal and determine its value?

A: Wilhelm II reigned from 1888 to 1918, when he was forced to abdicate. Your pendant medal may have been made to commemorate an important event that happened in 1910, perhaps his trip to England for the funeral of his uncle, King Edward II. The funeral was attended by heads of state and royalty from many countries and was notable for including the nine kings of European countries. It was the last time the kings were together before the outbreak of World War I. Between 1910 and 1918, when the war ended, one king died of natural causes, one was assassinated, one abdicated, and another gave up his throne when the monarchy in his country was abolished after a revolution. Haverkamp may have made your medal, or it may be a copy of his work. Contact an auction house that sells medals and coins to see if they are able to authenticate and value your medal.