Adopted in 1899 and first issued in 1900, the bronze-toned Maltese cross featured a Confederate battle flag on one side and was inscribed with "Deo Vindice" (God our Vindicator) and "1861-1865" on the other. The UDC awarded the medals to living Confederate veterans for honorable service, with thousands distributed between 1900 and 1913 and the program continuing until 1959.

This example features a stamping on the back of the brooch reading “PATENTED / CHARLES W. CRANKSHAW / ATLANTA” just under the complete and attached pin – dating this medal to sometime prior to 1904, when Whitehead and Hoag of New Jersey became the manufacturers and initiated a maker’s stamping on the drop medals. The bronze finish is uniformly mellow with minimal tarnish and no overt damage or signs of excessive wear.

An earlier and nice example of a more uncommon variety of Civil War veteran items.  [cm][ph:L]

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