Deprecated: Function get_currentuserinfo is deprecated since version 4.5.0! Use wp_get_current_user() instead. in /home/sliverhammer/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 5383
Login
A Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Medals
Medals capture history in a way quite unlike any other symbol of record.
If you’ve ever seen a military parade, or watched an Armistice Day commemoration, it’s always fascinating – and in many cases humbling and moving–to see the collection of medals and ribbons worn, to wonder about the stories of bravery and sacrifice which they represent.
It’s the same with great sporting achievements and Olympic medals, for example. Yes, they may record a single moment of great achievement, but they also tell a story of commitment, training and challenge that underpins the visible success.
This article deals mainly with military medals as these form the very great majority of medals awarded and collected.
What are medals? A short definition
Medals fall into three broad categories: military, commemorative and sporting. There are plenty of other sub-genres, but it’s easiest to think in these wider terms.
Medals are almost always metal and in the UK are most frequently in the shape of a disc, cross or star, although others shapes can be used too.
Medals usually come attached to a ribbon, as a way of attaching the medal itself to uniform or clothing. The ribbon may also carry a clasp, indicating a particular campaign or battle, so some awarded to seasoned soldiers will have several clasps from different theatres of war. The Ribbons themselves tend to get replaced from time to time and do not automatically affect the inherent value of the medal itself.
Military Medals
Military medals are awarded for acts of bravery and for participation in campaigns and longer conflicts. Thus service personnel in the Second World War could have received several medals depending on where they were stationed or fought. The tradition continues today with Operational Service Medals, such as The Operational Service Medal (OSM) Afghanistan. This is awarded to personnel who completed operational service on or in support of operations in Afghanistan from 11 September 2001.
Some medals often associated with the military can also be awarded to civilians. Well known examples are the Victoria Cross and the George Cross. These have equal standing, the difference being whether the act of bravery was or was not on the presence of the enemy.
You can find a comprehensive listing of current British Medals at gov.uk
Sporting Medals
Sporting medals are most commonly thought of as gold, silver and bronze for first, second and third. Good examples would be from national sporting events and from European and World Championships and, of course, the Olympic Games. Some events – such as large scale marathon runs – also give medals for participation. Like the top place medals, these recognise the effort and commitment required to take part and finish.
While there is a market for sporting medals, it is by definition smaller than those for military and commemorative items. It’s a challenging arena in which to collect.
Commemorative Medals – non military
Commemorative medals include military service medals, but there are also medals minted to mark non-military events of importance, such as royal coronations and jubilees. Medals, for example, were also given as prizes, engraved with the name of the winning company, at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London; and medals were created to mark the current Queen’s golden and diamond jubilees.
Why collect medals?
Like any collecting hobby or passion, collecting medals is usually about a fascination with a particular slice of history and it often starts with a chance find or a family connection – perhaps an item inherited or a surprise collection that you hadn’t realised existed.
There are numerous specialist dealers of medals (just as there are for coins) but for the most part collectors don’t start gathering medals because they expect to make a lot of money from doing so. Some – those that are very rare and come with a prestigious and well documented story – may be very valuable, but these are few in number. Mostly medals change hands for tens or hundreds of pounds and often for a very modest profit.
Getting started
The key to beginning is to keep things simple. Decide what you want to collect and, to begin with, focus mainly on that. Go for a period in history or a theme. It could be a war, a campaign, a type of medal or those won by a particular regiment or rank of soldier. Aim for a set and try not to be distracted by other offerings along the way.
Lookout for specialist dealers, and you might also find interesting examples in antique shops or at antique markets. They are unlikely to be rare, but you could find something that others have overlooked. Be careful about what you pay for and do your best to satisfy yourself that the vendor is honest and reliable.
Above all, as you do your research and decide what to collect and buy, remember that you are balancing three elements: scarcity, the condition of the medal and its provenance.
More tips for beginners
There is no need to spend a fortune to start collecting. Some World War I medals, for example, can cost as little as £10. Even those costing £300-£400 may represent good value and there will be many between these prices. Medals, like coins, can be bought in groups which may provide interesting surprises, even if they are not especially valuable.
Underpinning your success, peace of mind and enjoyment will be your own research. Before buying, find out as much as possible about what you are about to pay for. The more third party information you can match to what’s on offer, the more you will be able to decide whether it is a fair price.
Useful online resources include the Forces War Records and The Orders and Medals Research Society.
Two important books in this field are Collecting Medals and Decorations, by Alec A Purves, and Medals: The Researcher’s Guide, by William Spencer.
For specific guidance on values and valuation, an important reference is the Medal Yearbook, from Token Publishing.
For commemorative medals a good place to start your research is the Royal Mint website.
How much are medals worth?
Importance and value can be quite subjective, especially if the collector has a family connection to the original recipient. However, the real measure of value is the strength of the story that goes with the object and the extent to which this is backed up by documentary evidence. One could almost say it is the story that you are collecting, and the medal is just the definitive proof.
In terms of cash value, most collectors would be unwise to consider medals as an investment. This is not because they will lose value but, for most medals, their re-sale value is not always predictable as it depends on who is looking when you want to sell.
Value can be considered in four ways
- How much is the metal worth? It will depend on purity, weight and current market prices. This bullion price is usually quite low in comparison to market value.
- Collector value. This will usually be the dominant factor. Value is attached to a person and an event, and then cross-referenced to rarity. It is more objective than it sounds because it depends on the quantifiable elements of scarcity, condition and provenance.
- Insurance value. Insurers will consider mainly the cost of replacement, so this is always likely to be the highest of the four measures, and is most relevant when it comes to insuring your collection.
- Sentimental value. This is not the same as Collector Value, although the two may overlap. It’s something to consider when buying and selling as it could either inflate or deflate the likely price.
- How much is the metal worth? It will depend on purity, weight and current market prices. This bullion price is usually quite low in comparison to market value.
Finally consider the medal as a whole. What type of medal is it, why was it awarded, to whom was it awarded and how rare is it? Is it in the original box and what is its condition?
How to spot as fake
Like any collectible item, medals can be forged. Laser cutting technology makes it possible to make convincing fakes relatively easily, so if something seems too good to be true you should be very cautious.
Really rare medals are difficult to forge because everything about them will be well known, but other tricks might catch you out. Medals are often inscribed with the name of the recipient, and these names can be changed. However, some renaming is legitimate, as in the case of lost and then replaced medals.
Typically the fraudster will change the name from that of a little known soldier to that of someone more famous, or someone from a group to whom few medals were given. Again, just be cautious – if the price seems high but perhaps not as high as it should be, look carefully at the name and check for alterations.
Copies fraudulently made with cheap base metals and then coated or washed to produce a shiny surface are usually easy to detect. But they need to be distinguished from copies made as replacements. Usually these will be marked as copies and have a shiny rhodium coating over cupro-nickel.
Looking after your medals
Opinions vary as to cleaning but the best policy is to not clean or do so only when necessary to preserve its condition, and think carefully before buying a dirty item; the grime may disguise the fact that it is a fake. Most genuine medals are solid and will withstand proper gentle cleaning. If you are unsure, Always consult a specialist.
Once your medals are ready, store them carefully in an acid-free environment to avoid accidental corrosion. Consider using medal albums, display cabinets or cabinets with drawers.
Developing your expertise
And with your collection gradually expanding, if you haven’t already done so join one of the several medal collectors clubs to expand your range of contacts and deepen your knowledge – and enjoy!