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Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18: CM.1466-2009

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

Maker(s)

Mint: Washington D. C.
State: United States of America

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.
The United States was alone among the issuing nations in issuing campaign and battle clasps along with the medal, 47 different ones being authorised to cover all the theatres in which United States personnel had been involved.
This medal carries no bar, which suggests that its recipient's service was performed at home. This can be explained by the fact that it has been privately engraved, "L. Watson, Capt. A. S. A.", and it is assumed to be Lester Watson's own award for service in the Army Security Agency. It was therefore presumably awarded to him in 1919 and must have been part of the Collection since that time.

Notes

History note: Gift of L. Hoyt Watson; ex Lester Watson Collection, awarded Lester Watson 1919?

Legal notes

Given by Lester Watson through Cambridge in America, 2009

Measurements and weight

Diameter: 36.2 mm
Weight: 30.21 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: Liberty with sword and shield standing atop disc

  • Text: THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION / FRANCE / ITALY / SERBIA / JAPAN / MONTENEGRO / RUSSIA / GREECE / GREAT / BRITAIN / BELGIUM / BRAZIL / PORTUGAL / RUMANIA / CHINA
  • Location: Obverse
  • Type: Design

Inscription present: US arms like totem pole with double-headed axe at top

  • Location: Reverse
  • Type: Design

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: CM.1466-2009
Primary reference Number: 141560
Watson Catalogue: J
Ordering: M-0349
Previous object number: LW.0349

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/141560 Accessed: 2025-12-05 09:49:46

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/141560 |title=Allied Victory Medal, 1914-18 |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-05 09:49:46|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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