War & Military Medal Valuations & Appraisals

Finding out the value of Orders, Decorations and Medals - whether British or foreign - is easy with Value My Stuff Now. Simply upload a photograph, and, where appropriate, add details of any naming on the edge or reverse of the recipient’s award(s), normally his/her rank, initials, surname and unit, and our medals specialist will send you a medal appraisal within 48 hours. Some British awards are not inscribed (e.g. 1939-45 campaign medals), and foreign awards rarely so. That is why surviving original documentation may prove vital in establishing provenance (e.g. a pilot’s flying log book, official certificates of award, photographs). In addition, where known, brief career details of the recipient would also be appreciated.

Our War Medal Expert

Our online medal specialist commenced his career as a member of the Coin & Medal Department at Sotheby’s in 1980, cataloguing British & foreign orders, decorations & medals - a date that now makes him the longest-served auction specialist in this field. He was appointed an auctioneer in 1987, and later became head of a newly created department for medals & militaria. Reverting to a consultancy role in 1992, he moved to another well-known company in 1997 and thence to Dix Noonan Webb, in Mayfair, London, in 2002, an independent auction company that has achieved highest annual turnover in this field ever since 2000.

Although he has been involved in many memorable sales over the years, our specialist considers the opportunities afforded him to meet so many wonderful ex-servicemen and women far more memorable - so, too, the long-standing friendships he has established with many collectors the world over. He also carries out valuation work for museums.

 

The Market for War Medals

In recent times, the annual turnover for Orders, Decorations & Medals in London auctions has approached the £10 million mark, the result of a highly buoyant market and increasing numbers of collectors worldwide - the majority of the latter driven by a genuine interest in naval, military and aviation history. But not just in terms of Empire and the two World Wars, more recent conflicts also attracting strong interest - thus a record price set at Dix Noonan Webb at the end of last year for a Conspicuous Gallantry Cross won by a Royal Marine in Iraq in 2003 - £105,600. And it is just such records that have gained this fascinating hobby the added attraction of investment potential. In fact, despite the current economic climate, new record prices are being set for medals on a regular basis - and that rule applies to all areas of the hobby, not just premier awards such as the Victoria Cross.

Determining the Value of your War Medals

The value of medals is generally governed by background history - as a valuer one is always asking the questions, Who? Where? Why? When? Thus a Crimea Medal awarded to a soldier from a line regiment who witnessed action before Sebastopol might be worth £200 or £300, but the same award to a man who charged with the Light Brigade at Balaklava would be worth several thousand pounds.

“Classic” actions and battles - from the defence of Rorke’s Drift to the Battle of Britain in 1940, will always command higher prices. And while campaign awards to the participants are often valuable, it is gallantry medals for such historic encounters that really command the top price range. Particular regiments or units might also attract stronger interest - thus a keen following for awards to Special Forces such as the SAS or SBS. As stated above, accompanying documentation might also prove pivotal in establishing true value, particularly where the awards in question were issued unnamed. Indeed the question of value might be derived from any number of influencing factors, including naming styles and condition.

Useful links & further information

Latest medals & valuation news