A German Imperial Death of the Red Baron Commemorative (Satirical) Medal

Silver, maker marked "BAYER, HAUPTMÜNZAMT" and "FEINSILBER (Fine Silver) on the edge, illustrating the uniformed three-quarter facing bust of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen (The Red Baron), surrounded by the inscription "RITTMEISTER MANFRED FRHR V RICHTHOFEN", reverse illustrating a standing eagle with its head tilted toward Heaven at the left, the family crest and heraldic shield at the right, the number "89" shot through with an arrow above, grave marker inscribed "21 April 1918" in the background, engraver marked "K. GOETZ" (Karl Goetz), 36.5 mm, dark patina on the obverse, extremely fine. Footnote: Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (May 2, 1892 – April 21, 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during the First World War. He is considered the top ace of that war, being officially credited with eighty air combat victories. Rather ironically, he was killed by a single bullet fired by a soldier on the ground as his plane pursued a Royal Air Force plane at low altitude. He managed to land the plane despite severe damage to his heart and lungs. The Australian troops who arrived at the downed plane just prior to his death reported his last word as "kaputt" (broken).