Selling a Medal Collection

The Fascinating World of Military Medals

Military medals are tangible links to personal service, historic campaigns and important events. Each award may tell part of a larger story about the person who received it, the unit they served with and the events in which they took part. Whether you are an experienced collector or have recently inherited a group of medals, understanding their history, condition and provenance can help you make informed decisions about keeping, researching or selling them.

Categories of Collectible Military Medals

1. Campaign & Service Medals

Campaign medals recognise participation in particular military operations, wars or periods of service. Examples include medals associated with the First and Second World Wars, the Crimea, Waterloo and later overseas campaigns. Eligibility depended on the rules for each award, so the recipient's service and entitlement can be important when identifying a medal.

2. Gallantry & Distinguished Service Awards

Decorations and medals for bravery or distinguished service are an important part of military medal collecting. Awards such as the Victoria Cross, George Cross, Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal have distinct criteria and histories. Their value depends on the individual award, recipient, surviving documentation, condition and wider collector interest.

3. Medal Groups & Long Service Awards

Groups of medals awarded to one person can help tell a connected story of their military career. Long service and good conduct awards, campaign medals and other decorations may provide clues about an individual's role and period of service. Original groups should be assessed together before any medals are separated.

4. Ribbons, Clasps & Unusual Variants

Ribbons, clasps, bars, naming details and variations in the manufacture of an award can help specialists identify a medal and understand its context. A clasp may indicate an additional campaign or qualifying service, depending on the award. Unusual features should be checked carefully rather than assumed to make a medal rare or valuable.

Medal Types & Valuation Summary

How to Care for a Medal Collection

If you own or have inherited military medals, a few simple precautions can help preserve their condition and historical context while you arrange an assessment:

• Do not polish or chemically clean medals: Cleaning can alter original surfaces and finishes. Leave assessment and any conservation decisions to an appropriately qualified specialist.
• Keep medal groups together: Avoid separating medals, removing clasps or changing ribbons before their relationship and history have been assessed.
• Store them carefully: Keep medals in a dry, stable environment and avoid prolonged contact with materials that may damage metal, ribbons or original packaging.
• Retain related documents: Keep boxes, certificates, service papers, photographs, letters and other family records with the collection where possible.
• Learn the terminology: Our medal collecting glossary explains terms used by collectors, researchers and auction houses.

Selling Your Medal Collection

Whether you are selling an inherited collection, considering downsizing, or looking for an expert opinion on individual awards, a specialist assessment can help you understand your options. At Sell My Medals, you can discuss your collection and explore the most suitable route for selling it.

• Guidance on identifying military, campaign and service medals
• Consideration of condition, recipient details and provenance
• Advice on the potential suitability of a direct sale or auction
• Assessment of complete medal groups as well as individual awards
• Help understanding what photographs and supporting information may be useful

Valuations and selling options depend on the medals and the information available. Contact us to discuss your collection and confirm the service available for your circumstances.

Essential Military Medal Terminology

Understanding a few common terms can help when identifying and researching medals:

• Obverse: The front side of a medal, often featuring a monarch, portrait or official design.
• Reverse: The back of a medal, which may show an inscription, emblem, scene or award details.
• Ribbon: The coloured strip associated with an award, often designed according to the medal's regulations.
• Clasp or bar: An attachment associated with certain awards that can indicate additional qualifying service or a particular campaign.
• Naming: Inscription or engraving identifying the recipient, which can assist with research and authentication.
• Provenance: The documented history of an object, including its ownership and any evidence linking it to a particular recipient or event.
• Medal roll: An official or historical record that may document medal entitlement or issue, depending on the service and award.
• Medal group: Two or more medals associated with the same recipient and preserved or collected together.
• Hammer price: The winning bid at auction, before any applicable buyer's premium or other charges.

Explore the full Glossary of Medal Collecting Terms for more explanations of medal history, identification, provenance and auctions.