World War I | U.S. Soldier's Dog Tag

This identification tag was issued to soldiers of the United States Army during World War I, when the U.S. military first implemented standardized personal identification for service members. The tag is circular in shape and made of aluminum, stamped with essential information such as the soldier’s name, service number, and unit designation. Unlike later systems, early tags often contained fewer standardized fields, reflecting the evolving nature of military record-keeping during this period.

The round design represents the earliest widely issued American dog tag format, introduced as the U.S. mobilized for overseas deployment in 1917. Soldiers wore the tag on a cord or chain around the neck so it would remain with them in combat, allowing for identification in the event of injury or death. Variations in stamping style, layout, and content are common, as tags were produced using different machines and local practices, making each example slightly unique while still serving the same essential purpose of battlefield identification.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

Your Dog Tag will look very similar to the ones shown in the photos. Each tag is unique as it features the individual name of a soldier. The display case included is openable so that you may easily handle and closely observe the artifact. If for whatever reason you get anything that does not fit this description you are entitled to your money back! 

After the war, these tags were typically kept by the soldiers who wore them, often remaining with uniforms, personal papers, or stored among family belongings. Over time, many were preserved within family estates, while others were dispersed as collections were sold, inherited, or consolidated. Most examples encountered today originate from these original issued tags that later entered the secondary militaria market. From there they pass through specialized dealers and auctions, where they are identified, cataloged, and associated with the service of soldiers in the United States Army during World War I.