Original WWI AEF verdun Metal Box Certificate 323rd Field Artillery Vernier For Sale

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Original WWI AEF verdun Metal Box Certificate 323rd Field Artillery Vernier:
$150.00

# WWI Named AEF Soldier Grouping: Official Verdun Medal, Certificate & Original Presentation

sale is a historically significant, traceable World War I veteran estate grouping. This highly collectible lot features an official French Verdun Medal (Médaille de Verdun), its rare matching named award certificate, and the original red presentation box.

This historic set was officially awarded to Sergeant Ralph R. Grostcost (Service Number: 1965902) of Battery B, 323rd Light Field Artillery, 83rd Division, American Expeditionary Forces (AEF).

### HISTORICAL CONTEXT:

Sergeant Grostcost was an Ohio native whose unit deployed to France in June 1918. Operating heavy field howitzers, Battery B entered the combat lines in the bloody Sector of Verdun on October 10, 1918. They provided continuous, heavy artillery barrages supporting the 26th and 29th American Divisions through the grueling Meuse-Argonne Offensive right up until the Armistice on November 11, 1918. Complete, un-split groupings named to frontline AEF artillerymen are highly sought after by collectors.

### ITEM DETAILS & CONDITION REPORT:

1. THE VERDUN MEDAL:

An official, original period strike sculpted and signed by the famous French artist Émile Séraphin Vernier.

* Obverse (Front): Features a crisp, high-relief profile of Marianne wearing an Adrian military helmet and defiantly holding a sword, beneath the iconic battle motto "NE PASSE PAS" ("They Shall Not Pass").

* Reverse (Back): Features the twin fortified towers of the historic city gateway, the Porte Chaussée, stamped "VERDUN" and the initial battle date "21 FÉVRIER 1916".

* Ribbon: The original red silk suspension ribbon with its characteristic blue and white patterned border edges remains clean, un-shredded, and firmly attached to the uniform mounting pin bar.

2. THE AWARD DIPLOMA / CERTIFICATE:

The document officially inscribes Sgt. Grostcost into the prestigious "Livre d'Or" (Book of Gold) of the Soldiers of Verdun. Features beautiful typography, the official city seal of Verdun ("Civitas Virduuvol"), and stamped authorizations by the Mayor of Verdun and the President of the Verdun Veterans Association.

* Condition: Displays a genuine, untouched vintage patina. The paper shows heavy folding creases, minor age-spotting (foxing), and small splits/separations along the fold corners. Faint period pencil notations and an archive registration code ("5117 P/2") are legible on the reverse corner.

3. THE ORIGINAL PRESENTATION BOX:

A rare survival of the fragile red-wrapped pasteboard box. The lid retains its elegant, gold-foil embossed script text reading "Médaille de Verdun". The box is structurally stable with normal surface scuffing and no fully collapsed or split corners.

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### SHIPPING & COLLECTOR HANDLING GUARANTEE:

We understand the immense historical value of keeping named military groupings intact. This item will be packaged with museum-level care. The fragile certificate will be packed completely flat between thick sheets of heavy, double-walled rigid cardboard to prevent any shifting, bending, or damage in transit. The medal and fragile paper box will be wrapped independently in multiple layers of clean bubble wrap. Shipped via tracked and insured mail.

Please carefully review all high-resolution listing photos to verify the exact physical condition of this incredible estate lot before offerding or submitting an offer. Sold as-is.

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