Bidspirit auction | United Spanish War Veterans Bronze

United Spanish War Veterans Bronze Cross Plaque - This commemorative plaque or grave marker is associated with the United Spanish War Veterans (USWV), honoring service during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. The item is constructed from stamped thin-gauge bronze or brass with a darkened golden-brown patina. It is designed in the form of a Greek cross featuring a central circular medallion. The central relief depicts a US Army soldier and a US Navy sailor in period uniforms flanking a kneeling figure, with a battleship and a rising sun in the background. The arms of the cross feature a textured pebbled background within raised borders. The circular border of the central medallion is inscribed UNITED SPANISH WAR VETERANS 1898 - 1902. The top arm of the cross is inscribed CUBA, the bottom arm U.S.A., the left arm PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, and the right arm PORTO RICO, which reflects the historical US spelling of Puerto Rico during the era. The reverse of the plaque is a hollow-back mirror image of the front, showing the stamping process. There are no visible manufacturer marks or hallmarks on the front or reverse.