United States. A World War I Victory Medal, 5 Clasps

5 Clasps - DEFENSIVE SECTOR, MEUSE-ARGONNE, ST. MIHIEL, AISNE-MARNE, CHAMPAGNE-MARNE. In bronze gilt, engraver marked "FRASER" (James Earle Fraser) on the obverse, measuring 36 mm (w) x 40.3 mm (h) inclusive of its laterally-pierced ball suspension, surface wear and contact marks overall, all five clasps exhibiting greening and gilt wear, original ribbon with brooch pinback, the ribbon exhibiting extensive fraying and is in two pieces, having separated from the ring, with the five clasps housed on the longer piece and the brooch attached to the shorter piece, fine.

Footnote: The World War I Victory Medal (known prior to establishment of the World War II Victory Medal in 1945 simply as the Victory Medal) was a United States service medal designed by Mr. J. E. Fraser of New York City under the direction of the Commission of Fine Arts. The award of a common allied service medal was recommended by an inter-allied committee in March 1919. Each allied nation would design a 'Victory Medal' for award to their military personnel, all issues having certain common features, including a winged figure of victory on the obverse and the same ribbon. The Victory Medal was originally intended to be established by an act of Congress. The bill authorizing the medal never passed, however, thus leaving the military departments to establish it through general orders. The War Department published orders in April 1919, and the Navy in June of the same year.