Who knows this medal?
Blog readers have pointed me to a medal depicting cipher machine manufacturer Boris Hagelin. Two copies of it are known to exist. Does any reader know anything about the background of this badge?
If you are interested in encryption machines, you should have a look at the web site Cryptomuseum.com, run by my Dutch friends Paul Reuvers and Marc Simons. There is no better source on Enigma, Kryha, KL-7 and co.
The Hagelin Medal
On the Crypto Museum site you can also see a medal with Boris Hagelin on it.
Quelle/Source: Crypto Museum
Boris Hagelin (1892-1983), a Swede who settled in Switzerland, is considered the only entrepreneur who ever made it rich by manufacturing encryption machines. During the Cold War, Hagelin’s company “Crypto AG” was the world leader in cipher machines. The C-52 or CX-52 model was sold in over 60 countries.
Quelle/Source: Schmeh, Crypto Museum
It is certainly not surprising that a man like Boris Hagelin is depicted on a medal. It is also clear that the badge was created in 1959, because this year is imprinted. Hagelin was 67 years old at that time, which certainly fits the portrait.
The medal was apparently made by Goffredo Verginelli (1911-1972), whose last name can be read above Hagelin’s head.
But for what occasion and for whom was the medal created? Paul and Marc do not know the answer.
Another copy
A few days ago I received an email from Tobias Schrödel, who may be known to readers of this blog as a comedy hacker and crypto-book expert, among other things. Tobias also owned a Hagelin medal of this kind – but not in black, but in a copper color.
Quelle/Source: Schrödel
Tobias received the medal in 2007 or 2008 from Oskar Stürzinger, a former collaborator of Hagelin. Stürzinger, who lived in Monaco at that time, found a Cryptologia article by Tobias so exciting that he wrote him a letter and enclosed this coin (funny, this has never happened to me before).
Quelle/Source: Schrödel
The medal was packed in a coin box from the Wilkens company in Hamburg – which of course could be a coincidence.
Quelle/Source: Schrödel
Unfortunately, Tobias also knows nothing about the background of this medal. The question is also why it exists in at least two colors.
Can any reader say more about this medal? Paul, Marc, Tobias and I would appreciate comments. If there are any interesting answers, Paul and Marc will surely publish them on their Crypto Museum page.
If you want to add a comment, you need to add it to the German version here.
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Further reading: A mysterious medal inscription
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