Germany, Imperial. A Mixed Lot of First World War Patriotic Badges

(Abzeichen). A mixed lot of nine First World War patriotic badges, including:

1. A small first war year Dual Alliance badge, constructed of silvered bronze, the obverse bearing leftward-facing profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, situated above a banner bearing an inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”) and a date of “1914”, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 28 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

2. A large first war year Dual Alliance badge, constructed of silvered bronze, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a plaque bearing an inscription of “VIRIBUS UNITIS” (“WITH UNITED FORCES”), surrounding a central depiction of German and Austrian soldiers greeting each other, topped by a date of “1914”, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 29 mm (w) x 40 mm (h), demonstrating pinback repair, in very fine condition.

3. A first war year Dual Alliance pendant, constructed of bronze, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central medallion overlaid by leftward-facing profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, the arms bearing an inscription of “GOTT HILF UNS ZUM SIEG 1914” (“GOD HELP US TO VICTORY 1914”), unmarked, measuring 35 mm (w) x 35 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

4. A small Dual Alliance flag badge, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a green enameled ring, overlaid by German and Austrian flags, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 26 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

5. A large Dual Alliance flag badge, constructed of bronze with multi-coloured paint, the obverse consisting of a flag executed in Austrian and German colours, inset with a medallion bearing rightward-facing profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, measuring 32 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), in near extremely fine condition.

6. A Central Powers badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Cross Pattée, the obverse bearing a central silvered medallion overlaid by rightward-facing profiles of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Emperor Franz Joseph, with enameled arms executed in German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Ottoman motifs, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 21 mm (w) x 21 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

7. A small eagle badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a black and yellow enameled ring, overlaid by a black enameled imperial eagle with details highlighted in gilt, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 24 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.

8. A large eagle badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a black enameled eagle with details highlighted in gilt, bearing a central coat of arms, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 42 mm (w) x 25 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.

9. A Red Cross badge, constructed of gilded bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse consisting of a red enameled disc, bordered by white enamel and overlaid by a white enameled Geneva Cross, the reverse with a horizontal pinback, unmarked, measuring 23 mm in diameter, in extremely fine condition.