Legion of Merit Medal Prototype?

[mjlalt]

Found this at a yard sale this past weekend for $5

The design is mostly identical to the Legion Of Merit Award. However , it appears to be made of copper and the hole where you would hang it from is all filled in. I'm wondering if it was a prototype of some sort. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

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[steif]

I am not 100% certain but it could be a "in process" medal. possibly it was taken out of the assembly line before being completely finished. A lot of these medals were copper cored and plated with gold and then the enamel work was done. It looks to be just out of the stamping machine, before being drilled, plated and enameled. Just a thought.

 

[diggummup]

It is an unfinished piece and it is a Commander degree medal. Scroll down towards the bottom to see two other examples- LEGION of MERIT--Showcase - Page 3 - MEDALS & DECORATIONS - U.S. Militaria Forum

The Legion of Merit (Commander degree) is one of only two United States military decorations to be issued as a neck order (the other being the Medal of Honor) and the only United States decoration which may be issued in award degrees (much like an order of chivalry or certain Orders of Merit).The Legion of Merit is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the seven uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments