United Kingdom. A First War British War Medal, Bronze Grade, Un-Named

Item #GB7850

Price:

$135

In bronze gilt, un-named, obverse illustrating the left-facing bust of King George V, surrounded by the inscription "GEORGIVS BRITT. OMN: REX ET INF: IMP", designer marked "B M" (Sir Bertrand Mackennal), reverse illustrating St. George on horseback trampling underfoot the eagle shield of the Central Powers and a skull and cross-bones (the emblems of death), flanked by the dates "1914" at the left and "1918" at the right, measuring 36.3 mm (w) x 49 mm (h) inclusive of its bar suspension, light contact, traces of gilt remains, original ribbon, near extremely fine.

 

Footnote: The British War Medal is a campaign medal of the United Kingdom which was awarded to officers and men of British and Imperial forces for service in the First World War. Two versions of the medal were produced. About 6.5 million were struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze, the latter awarded to, among others, the Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps, as per this example.