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Dark letters on older Purple Hearts


gijoeonthego
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gijoeonthego

I'm not sure if this was discussed. Why is there darker letters on some older PHs. Especially the WWII US Navy types, not other services.

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I never knew Purple Hearts had any silver in them. I've heard tales of families cutting one in half to get the gold someone told them was inside the medal.

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I never knew Purple Hearts had any silver in them. I've heard tales of families cutting one in half to get the gold someone told them was inside the medal.

The Type 1 Navy Purple Heart was made in Sterling Silver because it was deemed a non-essential material in 1942

 

Bill

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The Merchant Marine DSM, Navy DSM, & some early Army LOMS were Sterling Silver right Bill? Any other Sterling Medals?

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The darkening on Type I USN PHs is not just due to oxidation. The engravers used a chemical to darken the engraving.

 

Kurt

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