The Civil War Campaign Medal / Sold

No. 3918

This scarce medal was awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865 and is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States Armed Forces.

The medal was first authorized in 1905 for the fortieth anniversary of the Civil War’s conclusion by the United States War Department on January 21, 1907. To qualify, a soldier had to serve between April 15, 1861, and April 9, 1865.

The Civil War Campaign medal was designed by Francis D. Millet, a noted sculptor who perished on the RMS Titanic in 1912. The medal was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.  The blue and grey ribbon denotes the respective uniform colors of the U.S. and Confederate troops. The medal was originally established as a badge, because Congress would not approve a medal due to the costs involved.

Inventory Number: POL 113 / Sold