An extremely rare & original 1944 BB&B Presidential Medal for Merit w/ Ribbon Bar & Rosette in an Untitled Case. This Type 1 medal is the most collectible and rarest of the three types. It is highly likely that either President Roosevelt or President Truman actually held this exact medal to pin it onto the recipient during the award ceremony, as the medal was often awarded directly by the president. The planchet is in excellent condition. The ribbon, although slightly frayed, is original to the medal & does not glow under UV light. The Medal for Merit was awarded just around 400, which is why this award is considered one of the rarest US medals!
SPECIFICS: ORIGINAL WORLD WAR II
UNITED STATES PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL FOR MERIT W/ SLOTBROOCH. MANUFACTURED BY THE BAILEY BANKS & offerDLE COMPANY. RIBBON TESTED U.V. NEGATIVE.
ABOUT:
The Medal for Merit was the highest civilian decoration of the United States in the gift of the president. Created during World War II, it was awarded by the president of the United States to civilians who "distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" in the war effort "since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939". Awards to civilians of foreign exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services" in the war effort "since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939". Awards to civilians of foreign nations were eligible "only for the performance of exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations." It was last awarded in 1952. The Medal for Merit was created by Public Law 77-671 and its awarding codified by Executive Order 9286 - Medal for Merit on 24 December 1942, later amended and restated by Executive Order 9857A of 27 May 1947.
Created during World War II, and awarded to "civilians of the nations prosecuting the war under the joint declaration of the United Nations and of other friendly foreign nations". Civilians of foreign nations could receive the award for the performance of an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the Allies against the Axis powers.
Will ship fully insured via USPS. Feel free to message me with any questions or for additional photos. Thanks for looking!
