I was out metal or (medal detecting) at a local elementary school and my first "hit" was this medal (without the ribbon) It is rare and is an original issue during WW2 given to Merchant Seamen. Below is a excerpt from the Internet concerning the inscription. The Medal has the triangle between the United and States and the engraver's initial PM. I was in the Merchant Marines for 20 years and so it takes on a meaning of it's own for me. Target rang up as a dollar VDI of between 88 and 90. 
EZ
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The Merchant Marine played a large role in the convoy operations in the Atlantic during World War 2. More than 215,000 officers and men served in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War. Of this number, 6,836 died while in service. While some of these deaths were not combat related, in most cases Merchant Mariners - all of whom were volunteers - sacrificed their lives along side their comrades in the Armed Forces.
Because the Merchant Marine was not considered a branch of the Armed Forces, the Purple Heart was not available to these heros. To solve this dilemma the Mariner's Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 10 May 1943.
Awarded only to members of the Merchant Marine, the Mariner's Medal recognizes Seamen who were killed or wounded as a direct result of conflict against an opposing armed force. 6,635 Mariner's Medals were awarded for service in World War 2. All further awards of the Mariner's Medal were suspended on 30 June 1956.
Designed by Paul Manship, subsequent awards of the medal are represented by 5/16th inch gold stars affixed to both the suspension ribbon and the ribbon bar.
*NOTE* On Original Mariner's Medals a small triangle separates "United" and "States". Reproductions has a small dot. Also on originals the designer's initials "P.M." (Paul Manship), are below the wreath, to either side of the cuff.
EZ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The Merchant Marine played a large role in the convoy operations in the Atlantic during World War 2. More than 215,000 officers and men served in the Merchant Marine during the Second World War. Of this number, 6,836 died while in service. While some of these deaths were not combat related, in most cases Merchant Mariners - all of whom were volunteers - sacrificed their lives along side their comrades in the Armed Forces.
Because the Merchant Marine was not considered a branch of the Armed Forces, the Purple Heart was not available to these heros. To solve this dilemma the Mariner's Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 10 May 1943.
Awarded only to members of the Merchant Marine, the Mariner's Medal recognizes Seamen who were killed or wounded as a direct result of conflict against an opposing armed force. 6,635 Mariner's Medals were awarded for service in World War 2. All further awards of the Mariner's Medal were suspended on 30 June 1956.
Designed by Paul Manship, subsequent awards of the medal are represented by 5/16th inch gold stars affixed to both the suspension ribbon and the ribbon bar.
*NOTE* On Original Mariner's Medals a small triangle separates "United" and "States". Reproductions has a small dot. Also on originals the designer's initials "P.M." (Paul Manship), are below the wreath, to either side of the cuff.