Collectors have found that the volume of medals awarded for military service expanded exponentially at the end of WWI by a variety of countries. Not only did the volume increase, but the variety of medals by each country in terms of design created amazing collecting opportunities.
A classic example of a non-wearable award was created by Great Britain called the “Dead Man’s Penny”. Correctly called the “Memorial Plaque”, it was issued to the next of kin of all British Empire Service personnel who were killed as a result of the war. The large 4.72-inch medallion continued to be issued into the 1930’s for those who died as a result of the war. The design includes an image of Britannia holding a trident and standing with a lion. In her outstretched left hand is an olive wreath about a tablet bearing the deceased’s name in raised letters. The names do not include rank since there were no distinctions between sacrifices of those who died.
In the United States, the town of Manchester, N.H., awarded a similar medallion for those from the town who died as a result of their WWI service. This 3.75-inch (96mm) bronze medallion shows Lady Liberty holding a U.S. shield in her left hand and a palm branch in her right hand over the dead soldier lying on rising steps in front of a memorial flame. The dates
