France, Republic. A Verdun Medal, c.1918
Type II by Vernier. In bronze, engraver marked "VERNIER" on the obverse, measuring 26.7 mm, original ribbon with dual prong pinback, near extremely fine. Accompanied by its 36.5 mm (w) x 10 mm (h) Ribbon Bar with pinback.
Footnote: The Verdun Medal was created on November 20, 1916 by the Town Council of Verdun, which had taken refuge by then in Paris. For this reason, it may be considered a semi-official medal. It was to be awarded to veterans who had fought in the Verdun sector (between the Argonne River and the town of St. Mihiel) at any time during the war. Allied veterans could receive the award under the same conditions, and so it is not uncommon to find this medal in American First World War medal groups. Applications for the medal and its certificate were to be sent to a special committee named the Golden Book Commission (Commission du Livre d’Or). Both the medal and certificate were issued to those qualified without charge. There are several different versions of the medal. (C:102)

