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Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18: CM.1464-2009

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An image of Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Mint: Brussels
State: Albert I (1875-1934) (Struck in the rule of)
Artist: Dubois, P.

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.
This example of the Victory Medal is one of those issued by the Belgian government. 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: 35.9 mm
Weight: 23.68 g

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 with sword and wreath in hands standing atop disc

  • Text: LA GRANDE GUERRE POUR LA CIVILISATION / DE GROOTE OORLOG TOT DE BESCHAVING
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: Arms of Belgium on crossed standards with cross below, in wreath with arms of other Allies arranged around, oakleaves between

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1464-2009
Primary reference Number: 141558
Watson Catalogue: H
Ordering: M-0347
Previous object number: LW.0347

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 25 March 2024

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 (2025) "Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141558 Accessed: 2025-12-05 19:05:28

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141558 |title=Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 19:05:28|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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