Falerystyka wyzwolenia Krakowa w 1918 roku

Abstract

PHALERISTICS OF THE LIBERATION OF KRAKÓW IN 1918

The paper presents badges and medals struck in Kraków during World War I against a broad political background. Following the siege of the city by Russian forces, from 25 May 1915 Kraków’s municipality issued forty thousand badges that authorized the bearers’ right to remainin the fortress. The badge is made from brass, with a diameter of 40 mm. In the central part of the badge thereis the letter K, with the date 19 / 15 featuring on both sides,and a serial number underneath. Since the badge was compared to tags worn by dogs for identification, it was popularly called ‘the dog’s mark’ (Pol. psia marka.) To commemorate the liberation of Kraków from Austrian rule in 1918 Adam Bernardyński struck a badge featuring the Polish eagle (whose dimensions are 36 × 31 mm),the date of Kraków’s liberation, and an excerpt froma church hymn. Made from white metal, the badge was pinned onto a red, silk rosette, with a diameter of100 mm and an inscription saying: Pamiątka pierwszej rocznicy oswobodzenia Krakowa od rządów austriackich30/X 1918 – 30/X 1919 Krak. Koło Pań TSL [Memento of the first anniversary of the liberation of Kraków from Austrian rule 30 Oct 1918 – 30 Oct 1919, the Kraków Ladies’ Association TSL.] In 1924 Związek Uczestników Oswobodzenia Krakowa [the Union of Participants of Kraków’s Liberation] decided to strike a Cross of Kraków’s Liberation whose dimensions are 50 × 50 mm. Placed on top of the cross is an eagle witha crown on its head and Kraków’s coat of arms on its chest.The date 31.X / 1918 features on the horizontal arms of thecross, and the name KRAKÓW can be seen on the bottom vertical arm. The reverse of the cross is smooth, with onlythe serial number and the hallmarks struck on it. The cross was worn pinned onto an amaranthine ribbon with two white stripes on the sides.The paper also discusses the medal designed by Jan Raszka,with a diameter of 40 mm, representing an allegory ofPoland’s victory over its former invaders. Struck in bronze, itwas worn on a blue, white and blue, or white and red ribbon. Featuring on the obverse, in the foreground is a shield withthe Piast Eagle carried by a warrior sporting a typical Slavhairstyle, and standing opposite him, in the background,there are two other warriors holding shields decorated withdouble-headed eagles representing Poland’s former invaders. On the reverse of the medal there is Wawel Royal Castle in the top section and underneath an inscription saying: NA PAMIĄTKĘ OSWOBODZENIA KRAKOWA OD ZABORCÓW 31 PAŹDZ. 1918 [In memory of the liberation of Kraków from foreign invaders 31 Oct. 1918]