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Authentic German Commemorative Medal of 13 March 1938 (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13. März 1938), commonly known as the Anschluss Medal. The obverse depicts a symbolic two-figure allegorical scene showcasing a man standing on a swastika-adorned platform holding a flag, helping another man step onto the pedestal. The reverse displays the central embossed date arranged in three lines: 13. MÄRZ 1938, encircled along the rim by the uppercase inscription: EIN VOLK * EIN REICH * EIN FÜHRER. The medal is made of matte finished metal showing an authentic aging patina and minor surface spots. It comes attached to its genuine red ribbon with black-white-black edge stripes, neatly arranged onto a metal presentation backing bar with a fully functional horizontal pin setup. A highly unique addition to this specific set is an authentic, natural dried Edelweiss flower with its stem, which was kept loose inside the box. The award is housed inside its original red presentation case featuring a dark burgundy velvet base slot and a white silk liner inside the upper lid.
Historical context:
The medal was instituted on May 1, 1938, to celebrate the bloodless annexation and integration of Austria into the German Reich, finalized on March 13, 1938. The inclusion of the natural dried Edelweiss—the traditional symbol of Austria and the iconic emblem of the German Mountain Troops (Gebirgsjäger)—adds a deeply personal dimension to this grouping. Gathered during the campaign and preserved loose inside the presentation case by the original recipient as a personal memento, the presence of this historic flower significantly enhances the collector value of the entire set.