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Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18: CM.1463-2009

An image of Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18

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Object information

Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: London
Ruler: George V (1910-36) (Struck in the rule of)
Artist: McMillan, William

Entities

Categories

Description

When the Great War of 1914-1918 had ended, there was a genuine feeling among the victorious Allies that their military efforts had been instrumental in preserving modern civilization, and this and the united spirit of the Alliance were commemorated in a combined issue of medals to those who had seen active service during the conflict. 13 nations in all issued a variety of this medal; all shared the rainbow ribbon and suspension, and all but the Japanese, who lacked a comparable symbolic figure, used a form of Victory on the obverse and a legend on the reverse.
Those who had fought in the British Armed Forces were already entitled to the British War Medal, of course, and if they had served since early on, the 1914 or 1914-15 Stars. The Victory Medal thus became an additional award in Britain, but for many other countries it was the sole badge of participation in the War.
The medal was issued unnamed, and it is not known to whom this example was awarded. Lester Watson purchased it from the London dealers Baldwin at some point before 1928.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, bt Baldwin before 1928

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.1 mm
Weight: 29.88 g

Place(s) associated

  • London

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2009) by Watson, Lester

Dating

1919 - 1920

Materials used in production

Bronze

Techniques used in production

Struck

Inscription or legends present

Inscription present: Victory standing centre with wreath and palm branch

  • Text: THE GREAT / WAR FOR / CIVILISATION / 1914-1919
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Inscription with border

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1463-2009
Primary reference Number: 141557
Watson Catalogue: G
Ordering: M-0346
Previous object number: LW.0346
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Saturday 22 January 2022 Last processed: Tuesday 13 June 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Coins and Medals

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141557 Accessed: 2024-03-29 02:06:25

Citation for Wikipedia

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141557 |title=Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-03-29 02:06:25|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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