Obverse, Victory facing outwards with a branch and a sword |
Reverse, a vertical double-headed battleaxe with leaves at either side within a border of chain-links, the inscription being made on the horizontal links' edges |
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 example is of the issue made by the Romanian government. The medal remains unnamed as issued, and therefore it cannot be known to whom it was awarded. Lester Watson purchased it from the London dealers Baldwin at some point before 1928.