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NAME:

Certificate of Merit Medal

 

OVERVIEW:

The Certificate of Merit Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army that was issued between the years of 1905 to 1918. The Certificate of Merit Medal was a military decoration which replaced the much older "Certificate of Merit" which had first been issued by the U.S. Army in 1847.

 

The original Certificate of Merit was issued to 539 Army soldiers during the Mexican-American War. The first certificates were only authorized for Privates and it was not until 1854 that the Certificate of Merit was awarded to NCOs the rank of Sergeant and above. The Certificate of Merit was never authorized for officers.

 

In 1892, the criteria for the Certificate of Merit was changed and now was presented to:

 

"Any enlisted members of the Army for distinguished service whether in action or otherwise, of valuable character to the United States, as, for example, extraordinary exertion in the preservation of human life, or in the preservation of public property, or rescuing public property from destruction by fire or other-wise, or any hazardous service by which the Government is saved loss in men and material."

 

Several changes in rules governing awards of the Cerificate of Merit evolved from experience in handling the recommendations for the Spanish American War, the early period of the Philippine Insurrection, and the China Relief Expedition. Changes to the regulations announced in March 1903 required a second eyewitness statement to support each reommendation when the first statement was not from a commissioned officer and stated no award would be made when the subsequent service of the individual recommended had not been honorable. This latter rule had been followed since the revival of the award in 1878, but was now explicitly stated. Other restictions were announced in 1903--a Certificate could be granted only if it were recommended by the regimental of corps commander as of the date of the recommendation, and the regimental or corps commander had to specifically recommend the award. These requirements delayed or precluded numerous awards including some to men who had left the service or been commissioned efore the date of the regimental commanders' recommendations, and men who had been originally recommended for Medals of Honor by regimental commanders.

 

There were 205 Certificates of Merit awarded under the new authority for decoration. In 1905, the name of the decoration was changed to the Certificate of Merit Medal and authorized for wear on a United States military uniform. The first recipient of the Certificate of Merit medal was First Lt. William Baker, who had received an original Certificate of Merit as an Corporal during the Spanish-American War.

 

Although the medal could be awarded for non-combat heroism, the Certificate of Merit was often awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

 

The Certificate of Merit was considered a single decoration for one-time issuance only. It was declared obsolete and removed from U.S. award precedence charts on July 9, 1918 following the creation of the Distinguished Service Cross and Distinguished Service Medal.

 

 

From: http://www.answers.com/topic/certificate-of-merit-medal

 

RIBBON:

The ribbon to the Certificate of Merit Medal consists of two sections of red, white and blue (with the blue on the outside and the red stripes separated by a narrow white stripe in the center of the ribbon).

 

The colors are taken from the flag and represent the United States. The color blue is at the outer edges (the "senior" position on the ribbon) because blue is the national color. The colors were arranged in two adjacent bands of red, white and blue (separated by a white stripe) to distinguish this ribbon from all others employing some combination of red, white and blue.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-army-com.htm

 

 

DESCRIPTION:

The Certificate of Merit Medal was designed by Francis Davis Millet (1846-1912)

 

Obverse

In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, a Roman war eagle with wings partly displayed. Its head is in profile (to the left), and the eagle is surrounded by the Latin inscription VIRTUTIS ET AUDACIAE MONUMENTUM ET PRAEMIUM.

 

The eagle was modeled by Millet from life-sized marble antique statue then in the possession of Lord Weyms, who was well-known for his interest in British volunteers. The eagle represents the American bald eagle and military service. The inscription means courage and virtue are their own reward and monument.

 

Reverse

In the center of a bronze medallion one and a quarter inches in diameter, the words FOR MERIT surrounded by a wreath composed of two branches of oak, the stems joined at the bottom by a conventional bow. The whole is in a circle Composed of the words, UNITED STATES ARMY in the upper half and thirteen stars in the lower half.

 

The inscription in the center denotes the purpose of the medal while the oak wreath represents strength, courage and achievement. The thirteen stars refer to the original thirteen colonies and thereby to the United States.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-dod-ddsm.htm

 

 

CRITERIA:

 

For Gallantry in Action During the Mexican War

From May 13, 1846 through May 30, 1848 (during the War with Mexico), it could be awarded "to any private soldier who has distinguished himself by gallantry performed in the presence of the enemy." During this period 539 Certificates of Merit were approved.

 

For Gallantry in Action (Post-Civil War)

From June 22, 1874 through February 10, 1892 it could be awarded for extraordinary gallantry by private soldiers in the presence of the enemy. A total of 462 Certificates of Merit were awarded for gallantry in action between 1874 and 1918, when it was disestablished.

 

For Distinguished Service Other Than In Action

From February 11, 1892 through July 9, 1918 the Certificate of Merit could be awarded to enlisted members of the Army for "distinguished service whether in action or otherwise, of valuable character to the United States, as, for example, extraordinary exertion in the preservation of human life, or in the preservation of public property, or rescuing public property from destruction by fire or other-wise, or any hazardous service by which the Government is saved loss in men and material." A total of 205 Certificates of Merit were awarded under these criteria.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-dod-ddsm.htm

 

 

 

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE:

The Certificate of Merit is obsolete, but based on the fact that was ultimately replaced by the Distinguished Service Cross its order of precedence would be after the Medal of Honor and before all other decorations.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-dod-ddsm.htm

 

DEVICES:

No provisions were made for devices to be worn on the Certificate of Merit Medal.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-dod-ddsm.htm

 

CONVERSTION AWARDS:

When the Certificate of Merit was disestablished by Act of Congress in 1918, the law provided that the "Distinguished Service Medal also be issued to all enlisted men of the Army to whom the certificate of merit has been granted... in lieu of such certificates of merit, and after the passage of this act the award of the certificate of merit for distinguished service shall cease...." A total of 271 recipients applied for the Distinguished Service Medal in lieu of previously awarded Certificates of Merit.

 

By the Act of March 5, 1934, Congress provided "That the Distinguished Service Cross shall be issued to all enlisted men of the Army to whom the certificate of merit was issued" and that "those persons who have heretofore received the Distinguished Service Medal [in lieu of a Certificate of Merit] shall be issued the Distinguished Service Cross provided the Distinguished Service Medal is first surrendered to the War Department." Only 54 holders of the Certificate of Merit applied for a Distinguished Service Cross in lieu of their certificate; through July of 1941 an additional 21 received the Distinguished Service Cross in lieu of the Distinguished Service Medal which they had applied for under the provisions of the 1918 law.

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-army-com.htm

 

 

RECIPIENTS:

 

First Recipient

The first recipient of the Certificate of Merit medal (medal number 1) was 1st Lieutenant William B. Baker, who received his medal on December 30, 1907. His Certificate of Merit was awarded for distinguished service in action at Manila on August 13, 1898, while serving as a corporal in the Astor Battery.

 

Last Recipient

The last recipient of the Certificate of Merit medal (medal number 361) was George Arrington, who received his medal on May 1, 1919 for gallant and meritorious conduct while serving as a Private in Company C, 24th Infantry. Arrington served with "a detachment escorting Major Joseph W. Wham, Paymaster, U.S. Army, in an encounter with a band of robbers, by whom the party was attacked between Forts Grant and Thomas, Arizona, May 11, 1889."

 

From: http://www.foxfall.com/fmd-army-com.htm

 

 

FRONT:

 

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  • 3 years later...

Ran across this on Ebay, and it kind of got my attention.

 

Don't know much about this medal. other than what I read on the internet.

 

Can anyone shed some light on this specific medal. Is it an original, a replacement, what?

 

And how do you determine that?

 

Thanks.

 

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The originals were made by the US Mint and issued between 1908 and 1919. Almost all were serial numbered on the rim in the following format; "No.xxx". About a dozen were numbered in the format; "M.No.xx". Only about 350 numbered medals were ever issued, so they are very rare.

This specific medal, currently for sale on eBay, appears to be a copy made in the 1920s or 1930s. Most likely struck by J.K. Davison of Philadelphia and sold by George Studley. The "Studley" pieces have a slightly heavier gauge ring at the top of the planchet and the quality of the strike isn't quite a nice.

The ribbon and brooch appear to be fairly recent replacements.

 

Here's a numbered US Mint piece for comparison.

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  • 9 months later...
grimble-nibitz

Part of a lovely lot that turned up today...its all material from this corporal and later officer in the 42nd Inf regt, but he got the C of M in the 27th as a corporal, I have to assume its likely the Philippine Insurrection? And ideas? I know the unit was there, does anyone know of this soldier or what he did to get it? I love the image and thought you might like it too.

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FrankEaton01

Great photo! Thanks for sharing it. Glod received Certificate of Merit No. 234 in 1913 for rescuing a drowning man in Galveston Bay, TX. At the time, he was serving in Co. E, 27th Infantry. (source: The Certificate of Merit - US Army Distinguished Service Award 1847 - 1918 by Al Gleim)

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grimble-nibitz

You gentlemen are great, thanks, some of his stuff is from Texas, so that makes perfect sense. He is proud of that medal, still wears the ribbon bar in WWI as an officer in the 42nd. I cannot find out what, if anything, the 42nd did in WWI, the regiment I mean, I assume some stateside duty and not in combat. Any ideas? Again, thanks!

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We sold Glod's medal group in August 2007, with the following description:

 

Group of five to Mieczyslaw M. Glod, 27th Infantry: Certificate of Merit Medal, numbered “No.234”, wrap brooch with open catch; World War I Victory Medal, no clasp; Poland Cross of Merit, second class, with “RP” obverse and cut-out arms; Polish Legion of American Veterans Medal, with PLAV emblem in a wreath, with “M. Glod” scratched on the reverse; Polish Legion of American Veterans medal, with the PLAV emblem on a star, with “1939/M. Glod/Natl Com” scratched on the reverse. With his commission as a reserve major (June 1956), folded; a Past National Commander” cap of the Polish Legion of American Veterans; several photographs of Glod in uniform and extensive research data. VF.

 

“Mike” Glod was born in Poland. He came to the United States in 1898, working as a glass blower. He enlisted in 1908, serving in Texas, Panama and the Philippines. He received the Certificate of Merit “for distinguished service in rescuing a comrade from drowning in Galveston Bay during the storm of June 26, 1913.” Glod was also recommended for a Treasury Lifesaving Medal, but that recommendation was denied. He was commissioned in 1917, serving in training centers in the United States. In 1939, he received the Polish Cross of Merit for developing goodwill and friendship between Poland and the United States. Active in the Polish Legion of American Veterans, he rose to be Illinois State Commander and National Commander of that organization. Glod died in 1967. Of the 368 awards of the Certificate of Merit medal, 111 were made for lifesaving actions.

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  • 3 years later...

About a week ago a real Certificate of Merit Medal, was listed on eBay. It’s an authentic US Mint strike, rim numbered “No. 163”, which traces to a trooper in the Sixth Cavalry and was awarded for an action in the Philippines in 1901. Unfortunately it’s part of a group that the seller is splitting up. (Please, let’s not have this thread turn into another discussion on the evils of splitting up groups.)

 

The CofM is one of the great rarities of US medals; less than 400 numbered medals were awarded. Based on the number of awards, it’s far scarcer than a Medal of Honor. However I consider the eBay “Buy It Now” price of $10,000 far too high for this medal. But since they come on the market so infrequently there’s no “average selling price” like there is for medals that come up for sale on a regular basis.

 

So what say you, the knowledgeable medal collector, as to the market value of this medal?

 

(While I realize that there’s a “What’s it worth?” section here on the Forum, the CofM Medal is a very specialized item so I consider the “Medals” section a better venue to discuss its value.)

 

 

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Airborne-Hunter

I think as Adam stated, it's very rare; it's one of the few medals that a lot of medal collectors I know are missing. I've always wanted one, but to be honest it's the first one I've seen for sale. Although, I haven't exactly been looking. That said, $10,000 is a significant investment for a single medal or a single anything for that matter and sometimes I think I'm crazy for the amount of money I already have in this stuff. And to be honest this is simply out of the realm of most collectors. Taking that into account, it is still a very rare piece, yet I still tend to side with Adam on the value of this one; a bit too high.

Adam, I'm not much for foreign awards, but if memory serves me right, you know quite a bit. What would a similarly rare foreign order run?

 

Its still a beautiful piece nonetheless. Best ABN

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There are plenty of deep pockets out there...it's just the matter of finding who has the interest in it to pay the cash. For a number of collectors (not a large number, but a number nevertheless) $10,000 isn't a significant amount. Having spent 20+ years collecting Soviet medals, $40-$50-$60K groups are not infrequent (not even to "known" individuals...the prices can double or even triple that) and there are always a ready number of buyers. True, most of those head overseas, but a good number stay here as well. There are a LOT of people who make a LOT of money out there...just having the right person seeing it is the key.

 

Personally, he just might sell it at $10K if the right person sees it...not an impossible amount in my book.

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I agree with Dave, there is someone for whom the money does not matter that may pay the 10K. I agree it seems extreme, as do the other prices....IMHO he is high retail as a rule. That said, I don't have near the experience as most of you but will toss my $.02 in

Considering the scarcity of this when compared to the Medal of Honor in terms of scarcity, I would say if 10K is the top retail (for the sake of argument) half to 60% would not be off the mark for a starting point. If part of the larger group then the question becomes whether you want to pay for the history or the story or who the recipient was or pay for the medal as a scarce medal....

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Garth Thompson

Personally I don't think $10K is out of line for a medal of this rarity.

 

If you were a collector of British medals here are a few of similar rarity and there estimated values:

Confirmed Light Brigade Charger at Balaklava $15k to $18K

South Africa campaign to a Isandhlwana casualty $10.5 to $18K Isandlwana escapee $15K to $ 18K Rorke's Drift participant $45K upwards.

Prices based on the 2014 MYB converted from pounds to dollars.

 

So for a medal of this Certificate of Merit's rarity I don't think it is unreasonable.

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Thanks for the comments, gentlemen. It's interesting to see the different opinions. (BTW, I'm not looking to buy or sell a CoM right now; I'm just interested as to what other collectors feel one is worth.)

 

I think there are two ways that the question of value for this medal can be approached.

 

If it’s compared only to other US medals it’s probably overpriced. The USMC Civil War that was on eBay earlier this year had only one bidder who met the $10,000 reserve; all the other bids were quite a bit less than this. There were only 175 numbered USMC CW medals struck and it also appeals to general CW and USMC collectors, so there is higher collector demand. As another comparison, there’s an M.No. numbered USN Philippine Campaign Medal (only 200 produced by the US Mint) on eBay for $1250 and it hasn’t sold. (It was also offered here on the Forum.) By these comparisons the CoM is overpriced.

 

However if it’s compared to a British, Soviet or German medal of equal rarity, as noted above, it seem reasonably priced. This is in line with a number of advanced US collectors who have felt for many years that high end American medals are greatly undervalued when compared to rare medals of other countries.

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  • 2 years later...

Hey guys,

 

A friend of mine has this Medal of Merit Medal and wanted to know if anybody here could ID it. It is #169. Also, what is the going value for these? Thanks!

 

-Ski

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Certificate of Merit Medal "No.169" was issued 14 Dec 1908 to Private James Wilson, Troop A, 5th Cavalry

 

As a Sergeant, Troop B, 4th Cavalry, Wilson was cited "For heroic conduct displayed in rescuing a fisherman from drowning in the breakers" near Fort Winfield Scott, California.

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A wide variety of "No." style Army campaigns show a break in the right vertical leg of the "N". This flaw doesn't appear in your COM medal, which concerns me. However, the "No." punch used by the Mint may have struck perfectly for the very first medal production, which may have included your COM medal.

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Here's a Certificate of Merit without the die break in the "N" and China Relief to the same recipient that shows the break.

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So Adam, do we infer from this that the break occurred between No. 169 and No. 198?

 

No. The number on the CM is 169. The CRE is 198. I don't think it's valid to compare the sequence on two different medals. I posted CM No. 49 to show another example of a CM without the die break. The CRE was posted only to show an example of the die break.

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No. The number on the CM is 169. The CRE is 198. I don't think it's valid to compare the sequence on two different medals. I posted CM No. 49 to show another example of a CM without the die break. The CRE was posted only to show an example of the die break.

 

10-4 Adam, I missed that point. Does anyone have a Certificate of Merit medal numbered after No. 169. If so, does it have the die break in the "N"?

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  • 4 weeks later...
MMcollector

This Certificate of Merit Medal was posted on the forum a few weeks back. To my surprise it was then listed on eBay. I am proud to be the new caretaker of James Wilson's CoM. New old stock ribbon was included with the medal and I re-brooched it with the proper brooch.

 

 

 

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MMcollector

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Certificate of Merit Medal "No.169" was issued 14 Dec 1908 to Private James Wilson, Troop A, 5th Cavalry

 

As a Sergeant, Troop B, 4th Cavalry, Wilson was cited "For heroic conduct displayed in rescuing a fisherman from drowning in the breakers" near Fort Winfield Scott, California.

 

 

THE CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

 

The Certificate of Merit is one of the US Armys oldest and most unique decorations. This award has been all but forgotten, and many knowledgeable military historians have never heard of this historic Presidential award. The award was a parchment document that became a medal. The medal eventually evolved, through legislation, into the US Armys second highest decoration. In 1918 the Certificate of Merit Medal was replaced by the Army Distinguished Service Medal and in 1934 the Distinguished Service Cross, the later being worn after the Medal of Honor and before all other decorations. Since the medal was for peace time use also, it had to be replaced by a number of awards over time such as the Soldiers Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross and the extra pay that came with the Certificate followed also.

 

The Certificate of Merit had it origins in the Mexican War of 1846-48, however following the war it fell into disuse. It was re-instituted after the Civil War and was given for heroism during the Indian Wars as well as for non-combat valor, such as saving life from drowning. It was also awarded in the Spanish American War, Philippine Insurrection and Boxer Rebellion. The actual medal was not established until 1905

 

THE CERTIFICATE OF MERIT BADGE

 

Number of Badges (Medals) Struck: After the dies were cut, approximately 300 medals No. #ed were struck in 1907, a additional 6 in 1908, and a final 100 in 1913 for a reported total of 406. In 1914 a run of 250 medals (MNo. #ed) were produced, and 1 additional in 1915 for a reported total of 251. These were all assembled at the United States Mint in Philadelphia, Pa., and impressed numbered on edge.

The medals were issued unnamed in a card board box with two ribbon bars. The Medals were provided with a letter of transmittal encouraging the recipient to engrave his name, rank, and unit at the time of award, on the edge of the medal.

Who received which badge: No. numbered medals were issued only to all active duty Regular Army and serving National Guard Soldiers, as well as, retirees from both services. In 1913 the M.No. numbered medals were created for those who served honorably and were not on active duty or entitled to retirement status. The application process was made to the Adjutant Generals Office who verified the service and then transmitted the request to the Quartermaster General's Office that disbursed the Badges. No. badges were given free, while M No. badges had to be paid for at the rate of 65 cents each. Records for recipients by medal number of both series were kept through the end of 1924. The M No. Medal records, and records from 1925 on medal dispersal by number have been lost, a process complicated by the 1973 fire at the National Military Records Center.

 

 

Description:

Obverse: Roman War Eagle, surrounded by the inscription "VIRTUTIS ET AUDACIAE MONUMENTUM ET PRAEMIUM" (virtue and courage are their own reward)

Reverse: "FOR MERIT" in oak wreath joined at the bottom by a knot, all in a circle of words "UNITED STATES ARMY" in upper half and thirteen stars in lower half.

Ribbon: 35mm wide, with 5mm blue stripe on either side, 5mm white stripes adjoining the blue and in the center two 7mm red stripes divided by a 2mm white stripe.

Suspension: In the same manner as most United States medals, from the ribbon by means of a small bronze ring which passes through a smaller ring affixed to the upper edge of the medals

Size: 32mm round bronze medal.

Designer: Francis Davis Millet, distinguished American Artist, Decorator, Writer and War Correspondent, Born in Mattapolset, Massachusetts, November 3, 1846. Served as a drummer boy in the Union Army during the Civil War; graduated from Harvard, 1869; entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, 1871; correspondent for the London Dally News, The Graphic and the New York Herald during the Russo-Turkish War, 1877-78; Director of Decorations at the Columbia Exposition, Chicago, 1893; War Correspondent in Manila, 1898 for the Times and Harper's Weekly. Designed the Army medals for the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish War, Philippine Insurrection, Philippine Congressional and the China Relief Expedition. He lost his life when the White Star Liner Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage, April 14, 1912.

 

 

Late Col. Albert F. Gleim USA RET., and Ronald E. Fischer

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  • 1 year later...

I recenlty came across this certificate of merit medal. It appears to have its original plain box with the number 537 hand written on the edge of the lid and also on the card the medal is pinned to. Although the medal is original it isn't numbered and never was. The bottom of the box has a hand written name. I was unable at first to read the last name but recently found that where this came from the family name was Stanley. I now that the numbered traceable medals only went up to 357 but somewhere around 1200 certificates of merit were issued. I found that in that list there is a William Stanley. Anyway an interesting medal.

 

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