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• Chrisnp saved to WWI Victory Medal Series

Usually US Victory medals can’t be traced back to an individual, but occasionally I get lucky. This time I think I may be doubly lucky, as the medal came with an original box. Although I can only assume all three items came from the same veteran, they did come together from the same estate.

The box indicates this particular medal was produced by Art Metal Works, which was one of three firms contracted to produce the Victory medal with dies supplied by the U.S. Mint. The government contract number and date of the contract appear on the box. Art Metal Works received its dies in April, and distribution started in June.

The photo that was with the medal is an AZO real post card in the style of 1918-1930, and likely printed stateside. It’s marked on the back “1918 David Carrigan” (Last name a bit hard to make out). He is wearing what looks like a Model 1917 tunic with altered cuffs, enlisted collar discs that I can’t make out, and no other insignia – no overseas stripe, etc. This makes sense, given that the medal was issued without battle or country clasps, making it reasonable that the recipient didn’t serve overseas.

The medal’s ribbon is faded on front, so it wasn’t always kept in the box (which I find a bit suspect), and there is minor wear consistent with rubbing against other items, but no edge knocks or corrosion. It was carefully wrapped in what appears to be the original wrapping paper, and stored inside the box.