| Why British? Except for World War 2 most | | | | for over 350 million has bought over the |
| medals are named on rim so they are very easy | | | | years 100 VC groups for around 20 odd million |
| to identify. There are hundreds of different | | | | dollars! There are hundreds of different |
| regiments and of course different ranks for | | | | Gallantry and Campaign medals. I have seen |
| medals from 1799 to the present day. | | | | prices up to $500,000, which wasn't a VC |
| | | | group. |
| Lots of very good replicas of British | | | | |
| Military Medals and replacement medals are | | | | To an officer in the Royal Air Force, the |
| sold to museums. Replica Medals are exact | | | | famous C.B. C.B.E. Fighter Operations D.S.O. |
| copies of the original British Military Medal | | | | and 2 Bars, D.F.C. and Bar Group of Nineteen |
| for a certain campaign and supplied with | | | | to Air-Vice Marshall J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson, |
| ribbon and a plastic envelope to protect the | | | | Royal Air Force - the Officially Recognised |
| medal. These are cast medals in high quality | | | | Highest Scoring R.A.F. Fighter Pilot of the |
| alloy if they come from a good dealer. | | | | 1939-45 War - went for a World Record price |
| | | | of two hundred and forty one thousand, five |
| The replacement medals are die-struck so they | | | | hundred pounds!! |
| are more expensive. Struck in nickel gilt and | | | | |
| polished in silver gilt they cost more | | | | So, as you have gathered, there is quite a |
| because these have made by a master craftsman | | | | good market in British Military Medals and |
| who has carved out by hand and small machine | | | | each year a Medal yearbook with price guides |
| - a "die". This "die" can cost around two | | | | is published. There are also Miniature Medal |
| thousand dollars alone. Then you have the | | | | Collectors and even an association of Medal |
| actual striking which is completed by a | | | | Ribbon collectors. |
| machine usually with a 250 ton press | | | | |
| capacity. | | | | Other reasons why there is such a vibrant |
| | | | market is the British have been in so many |
| Collectors, dealers, ex forces associations | | | | wars over the years. We have wars when we, as |
| and even whole families frame replicas for | | | | ex-soldiers, were part of a forgotten army. |
| show. This way, members of the same family | | | | Talk to people about the Malayan war which |
| can display their ancestors medals. It is | | | | lasted from 1948 to 1960 or the Borneo |
| usual for owners to keep the original medals | | | | confrontation of 1962 to 1965 and you get |
| in a safe or bank. Part of the reason is | | | | blank looks from people who were around |
| British Military Medals can command a very | | | | during those times. |
| high premium indeed. | | | | |
| | | | Medals have been a very good investment over |
| Victoria Cross groups fetch $300,000 whereas | | | | the years. Now they are becoming scarce. |
| a replica group to a Victoria Cross winner at | | | | Families are waking up to the fact that their |
| Rorkes Drift, (11 won in one day at Rorkes | | | | parents, grandparents had a history. People |
| Drift - Zulu the film was based on this | | | | are searching for details of their ancestors. |
| battle) with the VC and Zulu Medal is only | | | | It's now all very searchable and the main |
| about $30. The Victoria Cross is the highest | | | | reason is the Internet. |
| award in England and the Commonwealth, and is | | | | |
| worn as the first medal over any other medal | | | | One thing is certain. British Military Medals |
| or order. A business guy who sold his company | | | | are here to stay. It's history. |