1932 Purple Hearts

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1932 Purple Hearts

April 25, 2013

I am very happy to share a few medals from my personal collection! I hope you enjoy my comparison of the 1932 Army & Navy/USMC Purple Heart Medals.

AVERAGE PRICE:
(In my experiences) Prices vary by condition and the recipient named on the medal.

ARMY PH boxed- $400-$700
NAVY/USMC PH boxed- $400-$1,200
ARMY PH Un-boxed-$200-$450
NAVY/USMC PH Un-boxed-$250-$550

MARKINGS: ARMY 1932 PURPLE HEART:

Type 1a (1932-1940): bronze gilt medal, enamel heart, split wrap brooch, 1 to 5 digits numbered on rim. Awarded to the recipient by application only, therefore all Army Type I Hearts will be engraved on the reverse with the recipient's name.
-(Purplehearts.net)

Here is a World War 1 awarded 1932 Army Purple Heart Medal #48550 to Wounded Army soldier "LAWRENCE L. BENEDICT".

Casualty Lists from the Philidelphia Inquirer, Sat, Oct. 19, 1918

Returned to Duty, Previously Reported Missing In Action:
"LAWRENCE L. BENEDICT".

MARKINGS: NAVY/USMC 1932 PURPLE HEART:

Type I (1943-1945): sterling silver gilt, plastic heart, split wrap brooch, unnumbered. Initial production run of 135,000 ordered by the Navy's Bureau of Personnel from the US mint.
-(Purplehearts.net)

Here is a World War 2 Posthumously awarded 1932 Navy/USMC Purple Heart Medal to USMC Private "JOHN W. LAYTON"

John Wesley Layton, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, 4th Marine Division KIA on Iwo Jima Feb. 20, 1945.