102763 | UNITED STATES & GERMANY. Edward Snowden cast bronze Plaque.

102763  |  UNITED STATES & GERMANY. Edward Snowden cast bronze Plaque. Issued 2013 (127mm & 112mm x 82mm, 495.70 g, 12h). By B. Göbel.

 

Head facing slightly right, framed within sniper's crosshairs; to right, upper half of Statue of Liberty facing, with crack down the middle and holding up noose; concentric radio waves around // WER DIE WAHRHEIT / SAGT BRAVCHT EIN / SCHNELLES PFERD / CHINESISCH (he who speaks the truth needs a fast horse, –Chinese proverb) in four lines; EDWARD SИOWDEN DANKEND (thank you, Edward Snowden) below; in background, NSA (National Security Agency) in stylized letters tilted right. Edge: Beveled as made, with a few scattered marks, and 7 (for 7/10).

 

BBK M011; The Medal –; De Beeldenaar –. As cast. Slate gray-green surfaces, with some dusty highlights. Extremely rare (from an output of just 10 pieces) and an incredibly interesting work of medallic art that pertains to a contemporary figure and still-recent events.

 

The artist of this plaque, Bernd Göbel, produced this as a form of thanks to Snowden for his role in the leaking of extensive classified information from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013. Reviled and pilloried by some as a leaker and traitor, and one that should be tried for espionage, while applauded and celebrated by others as a champion of truth and everyone's right to privacy, Snowden has a complicated image no matter who offers an opinion. What is clear, however, is that his disclosure of global surveillance programs was an extremely important and eye-opening act that continues to cast a black eye upon governments and their overreach. Göbel suggested that this medal could serve as an award in the future "...for other people with public courage who fight for human rights."

 

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Upload: 15 May 2024.

 

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