Guide to Military Medal Collecting & Valuations

Understanding Military Medals & Collections

Military medal collecting brings together history, research and the study of individual service. Awards can commemorate campaigns, recognise bravery, acknowledge long service or mark participation in significant historical events. For collectors and people who have inherited family medals, understanding the award and its background is an important first step towards establishing its significance and potential market value.

British and Commonwealth medals span many periods and services. Collections may include First and Second World War campaign medals, earlier campaign awards, gallantry decorations, long service medals and groups awarded to individual service personnel. Each award has its own history and eligibility criteria, so identification should be based on the medal's features and any supporting evidence.

If you have inherited medals or want to understand your collection's potential value, read our guide to arranging a medal valuation to learn how to begin the process.

What Determines Military Medal Values?

A medal's value is not determined by age alone. Specialists consider several factors when assessing an award or collection:

• Rarity & Award Type: Some awards, campaign combinations and qualifying clasps are less commonly encountered than others. Rarity should be assessed in the context of the specific award and its history.
• Recipient & Service History: The recipient's identity, military role and documented service may add historical significance. Naming and reliable supporting records can be particularly useful.
• Condition & Originality: The medal's surface, suspension, ribbon, clasps and completeness may influence desirability. Alterations or replacement parts should be considered as part of the assessment.
• Provenance & Documentation: Service records, medal rolls, certificates, photographs and family papers may help establish a medal's history and association with its recipient.
• Collector Demand & Auction Results: Demand can change depending on the award, campaign, recipient and wider collecting market. Relevant comparable sales can help inform an estimate but do not guarantee a future sale price.

Notable British & Commonwealth Medal Categories

Preparing Your Medal Collection for Valuation

If you would like a specialist to assess your medals, preparing clear photographs and retaining the original items and paperwork can make identification easier. These simple steps are a useful starting point:

• Do not clean or polish medals: Avoid chemical cleaners, abrasive cloths or attempts to restore the original finish. Let a specialist assess their condition as they are.
• Keep original groups together: Do not remove clasps, change ribbons or separate medals that may have been awarded to the same person before the group has been assessed.
• Take clear photographs: Photograph the front and reverse of each medal, along with its ribbon, naming, clasps and any distinctive details. Use good lighting and avoid reflections.
• Retain associated paperwork: Keep certificates, service records, medal boxes, photographs, letters and other family documents. These may provide useful research leads.
• Record known family history: If you know the recipient's name, regiment, service number or approximate service dates, note these details without making permanent changes to the medals.

Once you have gathered the available information, you can contact Sell My Medals to discuss your collection and the next steps. The appropriate valuation or selling route will depend on the awards, condition, provenance and information available.

Frequently Asked Questions About Military Medals