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World War I Victory Medals - 1919-1920
Following World War I, the United States and her allies agreed to adopt a Victory Medal substantially the same in design, but with certain variations for each nation. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, basis for obverse design, received different treatment, therefore, at the hands of the several countries’ artists. Reverse inscription, The Great War for Civilization, was common to all.
Inter-Allied Commission on the Victory Medal assigned the production of the U. S. issue to the National Commission of Fine Arts; latter selected James Earle Fraser, New York, to execute the design. Medals were struck in bronze, of 90 per cent copper and 10 per cent zinc, at Art Metal Works, Newark, N. J., from dies made at the U. S. Mint, about 100 sets of dies being required. Medals were awarded to all members of the armed forces who served between April 6, 1917 and Nov. 11, 1918—approximately 4,765,000 men.
The medal without clasps was distributed to troops who served in the U. S. only; medal with single clasp, to those who served overseas but not in battle; medal with more than one clasp, to men who participated in more than one maor operation. While issue obviously was large, pieces came with loop and ribbon. Unlooped medals are quite rare.
OFFICIAL MEDAL
Obverse: Winged Victory, standing, sword in r. hand, buckler on l. arm.
Reverse: In center, vertical shield, upon which is a fasces; U to l. and S to r. of fasces, on upper part of shield; in field to l. of shield, France / Italy / Serbia / Japan / Montenegro / Russia / Greece; to r., Great / Britain / Belgium / Brazil / Portugal / Rumania / China; above all, The Great War for Civilization; below all, around, six stars.
HK-901 - Bronze. Size 23.
HK-902 - Copper.
 
Image provided by Jonathan Brecher
SAVIOURS OF LIBERTY MEDAL
Obverse: Within circle, Statue of Liberty, facing, between flags of Allies, eight on l., seven on r.; eagle below, seated on streamer bearing E Pluribus Unum; legend around, · The Saviours of the Liberty of the World · 1919
Reverse: American soldiers march past Arc de Triomphe; in border before and above them, olive and laurel branches; in minute incused letters, on rim to l. of stem Rene Robert; incused, near bottom edge. Outhwaite Sc
HK-903 - Bronze. Size 28.
 
Image provided by Jonathan Brecher
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