Images(4)

Pin, Promotional

Object number2015.42.18

Made by Kremnica Mint

Datec. 1938

OriginKremnica, Slovakia

MediumMetal

Credit LineGift of Susan Muir

DescriptionRectangular bronze-tone metal pin. Reliefs on front depict the Coat of Arms of Slovakia in the top left corner; various animals diagonally across center including a bear, lion(?), and eagles(?); and a view of buildings in the bottom right corner. Back has straight pin welded at center and extending down past bottom of rectangle.Dimensions2.25 x 0.75 in., 0.188 in. (5.7 x 1.9 cm, 0.5 cm)
InscriptionsRaised text in the bottom left corner "1918-1938 / KOSICE".
MarksMaker's mark imprinted on back at top center "MINCOVNA KREMNICA"
Translation:
"MINCOVNA KREMNICA" = Kremnica Mint.
Historical Notes1918-1938 are the years of the first Czechoslovak Republic. Part of a collection of WWII-related artifacts from the military service of Gabe Torisky of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who served with the 99th “Checkerboard” Infantry Division during the Ardennes campaign in Belgium. Martin Gabriel "Gabe" Torisky was of Slovak ancestry and was born on November 11, 1911, in Uniontown, PA. He moved to Pittsburgh in the 1920s and was drafted and sent to 99th Division during World War II. The 99th Division is especially important in relation to Pittsburgh, as the Division was originally headquartered in the city in 1942, and the unit insignia, a black shield with a checkerboard band of nine alternating white and blue squares (for “99”) was derived from the coat of arms for William Pitt and thus, also the city seal of Pittsburgh, on which the checkerboard also appears. Donor Susan Muir is Gabe Torisky's daughter.

Previous owner Martin Gabriel Torisky (born 1911)

Related institution 99th Infantry Division

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