Insignia

The “Insignia” area of the collection includes awards, badges, commemorative medals, trophies, national symbols and plaques. These items offer an insight into Germany’s culture of awards and commemoration. They visualize government or institutional acts through symbols and signs of identity and convey an image of our society’s values in changing times.

Awards

Recognition by Decoration or Medal

Medal for fighters against fascism, 1958
Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Awards

Recognition by Decoration or Medal

The “Awards” collection area includes government and social awards bestowed on individuals, groups or organizations for special achievements or services. As a rule, these are decorations, medals or honorary pins.

Awards in the object database

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Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler
Badges

Reflecting Organizations in Society

Lufthansa badge, 1970s
Badges

Reflecting Organizations in Society

The “Badges” collection includes membership badges and activity badges from West Germany and Communist East Germany, usually in the form of badges and pins that could be worn visibly on one’s clothing. They reflect the diversity of civic life and how the respective socio-political system was organized. Badges are usually made of metal, porcelain or plastic.

Badges in the object database

Contact
Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

Remembering Historical Events and Figures

Commemorative medal: 'Das Viermächteabkommen 3. September 1971'
COMMEMORATIVE MEDALS

Remembering Historical Events and Figures

The “Commemorative Medals” collection includes round medals, usually made of metal or stoneware, as well as Numisbriefe. The themes are people or events of contemporary historical significance. These objects tended to be awarded on jubilees in corresponding cases. The choice of theme and occasion reflects a society’s values.

Commemorative medlas in the object database

Contact
Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler
Trophies

Symbolic Objects

German TV award 'Bambi' of Sonja Ziemann
Trophies

Symbolic Objects

The “Trophies” collection includes three-dimensional items that were awards, marked jubilees, or had a commemorative or symbolic character. Among them are gifts to guests of honour or items marking key treaties being signed, not to mention cups and awards for sporting or cultural events. The collection focusses on trophies referring to key events in the political, cultural and economic history of Germany since 1945.

Trophies in the object database

Contact
Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler
National symbols

Visualization of National Acts

Stamp: 'Treuhandanstalt', 1990s
National symbols

Visualization of National Acts

The “National Symbols” area of the collection contains items such as coats of arms, (embossed) seals, official seals, clichés, service tags and dog tags. The collection focusses on objects that express government or institutional activities.

National Symbols in the object database

Contact
Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler
Plaques

Medals in Rectangular Form

Plaque Rome, 1960
Plaques

Medals in Rectangular Form

Plaques are (commemorative) medals in rectangular form. They stand out for a one-side, relief-like theme, often including an inscription and/or figurative image. The collection focusses on plaques that commemorate important events or people in contemporary history or were awarded in honour of special achievements or services.

Plaques in the object database

Contact
Director of the Collection
Foundation
Dr. Dietmar Preißler