Valiant Service Medal Appraisal

Pre-WWII Split Brooch Purple Heart Medal to Emilio Genozzi

This item is identified as a pre-WWII era Purple Heart medal, specifically a 'split brooch early contract' style, indicating its manufacture prior to the widespread production of the medal during World War II. The medal itself is heart-shaped, rendered in a gold-colored metal, likely bronze or gilding metal, with a smooth, polished finish. The obverse features a relief bust of George Washington in profile, facing left, set against a background of black enamel, which provides a striking contrast and enhances the portrait's detail. The overall dimensions appear consistent with standard Purple Heart medals of the era. The medal is suspended from a ribbon, predominantly purple with a narrow white stripe along each edge, consistent with the traditional Purple Heart ribbon. The suspension device, or 'split brooch,' is also gold-colored and attaches the ribbon to the heart-shaped medal. The reverse of the medal is engraved with 'FOR MILITARY MERIT' at the top, a standard inscription for the Purple Heart. Below this, it is personalized with the name 'EMILIO GENOZZI', indicating it was officially awarded to him. Furthermore, the medal is numbered '46639', a significant detail for verifying its authenticity and tracking its provenance. The condition appears to be good, with a visible patina consistent with age and handling, but no obvious signs of severe damage such as dents, scratches, or significant enamel loss. The engraving is clear and legible. The craftsmanship appears to be of high quality, with precise detailing on Washington's bust and clean edges on the medal itself. The 'split brooch' design is a key distinguishing feature marking it as an early issue. This medal represents a significant piece of American military history, directly linked to a specific service member from World War I.