Preview
Creation Date
1919
Geography
United States
Culture
American
Medium
Copper Alloy
Dimensions
Diameter: 1.4 in. (3.6 cm)
Weight: 0.9 oz (25.7 g)
Credit Line
Long-term Loan from the Estate of Boris Blick, 2015
Accession Number
2015.160.8
Condition
This medal is in great condition, with only minor spots of oxidation found on both the obverse and reverse. (April 2025)
Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings
Obverse:
FRASER
Reverse:
THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILIZATION
FRANCE U S GREAT
ITALY BRITAIN
SERBIA BELGIUM
JAPAN BRAZIL
MONTENEGRO PORTUGAL
RUSSIA RUMANIA
GREECE CHINA
References
Freundlich, A. L.. The Sculpture of James Earle Fraser. United States: Universal Publishers, 2001, pp. 55.
“Medal, World War I Victory Medal.” Medal, World War I Victory Medal | National Air and Space Museum. Accessed April 21, 2025. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/medal-world-war-i-victory-medal/nasm_A19751591000.
Creator Biography
James Earle Fraser was born on November 4, 1876 in Winona, Minnesota, and for much of his career as a sculptor he was commissioned to make sculpture and for public events and viewing. While he as an artist flew under the radar, his work was heavily circulated throughout the public sphere due to its connection to significant events occurring throughout American history. During his time studying at the The Art Institute of Chicago, he became inspire by much of the Chicagoan architecture. Though much of his career was focused on public sculpture, he was also interested in medal work, creating various designs for significant events which occurred in America.
Description
The obverse of this service award medal depicts a full-length portrait of the Greek goddess Nike, who faces forward as her wings are spread. Nike is wearing armor as she holds a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. Additionally, she has either a crown or implied halo atop her head, with beaming lines around this area of her head.
On the reverse, the central imagery is a fasces, wooden rods bound together with an axe, standing in front of a shield labeled as property of the United States. Above this, the medal reads: “The Great War for Civilization”, and listed on both sides of this shield are the allied countries and associated nations. Below this, there are six stars shown, which would have been a symbol for a soldier’s achievements.
This medal also includes a ring at the top, which would have originally been connected to a ribbon that could have been pinned to the awardee.
