This medal commemorates the mobilization of the Austrian army under Emperor Franz Josef. This was the first of a number of medals and medallions classified within Goetz “satirical series” that really don’t present themselves as satirical in nature; rather commemorative. 

Karl Goetz (1875-1950) was a well-known German medalist. In 40 years Goetz created over 600 medals. From 1913-1923 Goetz became widely known for his satirical metals which ranged from nationalistic to ridicule. He later conformed to the National Socialist standard and moved away from Expressionism doing medals of known figures in German history. Aside from a medal during the Weimar Republic in which he satirized Hitler in a negative way, he steered clear of contradicting the National Socialist party.