Allied Victory Medal 1914-1918 (Cuban), 1919
Obverse, Victory with a sword and a palm held aloft |
Reverse, Cuban arms with a casque atop and two sprays of leaves behind and above |
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Obverse, Victory with a sword and a palm held aloft |
Reverse, Cuban arms with a casque atop and two sprays of leaves behind and above |
When the Great War of 1914-1918 had ended, there was a genuine feeling among the victorious Allies that their military efforts had been instrumental in preserving modern civilization, and this and the united spirit of the Alliance were commemorated in a combined issue of medals to those who had seen active service during the conflict. 13 nations in all issued a variety of this medal; all shared the rainbow ribbon and suspension, and all but the Japanese, who lacked a comparable symbolic figure, used a form of Victory on the obverse and a legend on the reverse.
This is an example of the issue made by the Republic of Cuba. The medal remains unnamed as issued, and it cannot therefore be known to whom it was awarded. Lester Watson bought the medal from the London dealers Baldwin at some point before 1928.