What Are My Medals Worth?

How Much Are My Military Medals Worth?

If you have been asking, "what are my medals worth?", the answer depends on much more than the age or appearance of a medal. Military medal values can be influenced by the award itself, rarity, condition, the recipient's identity, campaign history, original naming, clasps, provenance and current collector demand.

At Sell My Medals, we help people understand the potential value of individual medals and complete collections. Whether you have inherited British war medals, found family campaign medals, own a gallantry decoration or are considering selling a collection, our free initial valuation service can help you explore your options.

An asking price in an online listing is not the same as a confirmed sale price. Auction results, where comparable and verifiable, can provide useful evidence of collector demand. A realistic assessment should take account of the particular medal, its history, condition and the costs and terms of any proposed sale.

Which Military Medals Can Be Valuable?

There is no single price for a particular category of medal. Two awards of the same type may attract very different prices depending on rarity, recipient history, condition and supporting documentation. The following categories are worth considering when reviewing a medal collection.

1. British Campaign and Service Medals

• First World War medals: British campaign awards, including the 1914 Star, 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Groups awarded to the same person, unusual service histories and supporting records may add historical interest.
• Second World War medals: Campaign stars, the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939–1945. Values depend on the specific award, recipient, condition, groupings and associated service information.
• Earlier campaign medals: Medals associated with Victorian and earlier campaigns can attract interest, particularly where recipient details, scarce clasps or documented service provide additional historical context.
• British and Commonwealth awards: Medals issued for service across different British and Commonwealth forces may appeal to specialist collectors. The particular issue and its history are important when assessing value.

2. Gallantry Medals, Decorations and Orders

• Gallantry awards: Decorations recognising bravery can attract significant interest. The exact award, documented circumstances, recipient's service and historical evidence are important.
• Distinguished service awards: Decorations awarded for particular types of military service may have specialist collector markets. Their significance depends on the award and the evidence associated with it.
• Orders and honours: Some military and state decorations attract collectors interested in their history, award criteria, original presentation cases and provenance.
• Named and documented medals: Medals linked to identifiable recipients may be researched alongside service records, citations and historical documents. A documented history can help establish context, although it does not guarantee a higher price.

3. Medal Groups and Inherited Collections

• Groups awarded to one individual: Medals belonging together can tell a more complete service story. Retaining the original group and its associated paperwork is generally advisable.
• Medals with original paperwork: Certificates, award citations, service records, photographs and other documents may help researchers establish a recipient's identity and military history.
• Inherited medal collections: Collections may contain a mixture of campaign medals, decorations, commemorative pieces and family memorabilia. Reviewing the collection as a whole can help identify items that deserve closer investigation.

If you are unsure what you have, do not assume a medal is worthless because it looks ordinary or is in a poor state. Equally, age alone does not make every medal valuable. Identification and context are essential first steps.

What Factors Determine Military Medal Values?

Medal valuation involves weighing several factors together. A medal's award type is a starting point, but recipient information, authenticity, condition and demand can make a substantial difference to its potential auction value.

How to Research a Military Medal

Research can help explain why a medal was awarded and establish the background of the person who received it. If you have an inherited collection, start by recording the visible information without altering the medals.

1. Identify the Medal and Award

Photograph both sides of each medal and note any wording, dates, ribbon colours, clasps, design features and visible naming. These details can help establish the award and narrow down the relevant campaign or service period.

2. Record the Recipient's Details

If a medal is named, carefully record the inscription. A name, service number, regiment or unit may help connect the medal to historical military records. Do not remove a medal from its mount or attempt to alter the naming.

3. Gather Supporting Documents

Keep certificates, citations, service records, photographs, original cases and family correspondence together with the collection. Even apparently minor documents can help provide useful historical context.

4. Compare Relevant Auction Results

Look for sold examples that genuinely match the award, recipient details, condition and medal group. Asking prices are not proof of market value, and two medals of the same type may not be directly comparable. A specialist assessment can help interpret the available evidence.

Do Not Clean or Restore Your Medals Before Valuation

One of the most useful steps you can take before seeking a valuation is to leave your medals as they are. Do not polish, clean or attempt to restore them.

Abrasive products, chemical cleaners and inappropriate restoration can damage original finishes, alter surfaces and affect the condition of ribbons or other components. Originality can matter to collectors, so avoid making changes simply to improve appearance.

Handle medals carefully, keep associated items together and store them in a dry, secure place. If you have inherited medals in an original case or with their original paperwork, retain those items for the valuation.

How Our Medal Valuation Process Works

Sell My Medals offers a straightforward way to submit your medals for an initial assessment and explore the options available if you are considering a sale.

1. Submit Photographs and Details

Use our online medal valuation form to provide clear images of the front and reverse of your medals, together with photographs of ribbons, clasps, cases and relevant paperwork.

2. Initial Specialist Assessment

Your submission can be considered in terms of medal identification, condition, rarity, recipient information and historical significance. More unusual items may need additional research before a reliable assessment can be made.

3. Understand the Potential Value

Receive initial valuation guidance and information about potential auction suitability. Estimates are not guarantees of the price that will be achieved, as the final result depends on the item and the market at the time of sale.

4. Consider Your Selling Options

If you decide to proceed, suitable medals may be considered for consignment through T&T Auctions. You can review the applicable terms and seller's commission before deciding whether to sell.

Medal Valuation, Auction Estimates and Selling Prices

It is important to understand that different types of valuations serve different purposes. The value quoted in an insurance document may not be the same as an auction estimate or the amount a seller receives after commission.

• Initial valuation: An assessment of the medal's identity, potential interest and possible value based on the information available.
• Auction estimate: An estimate of the price a lot might achieve at auction. It is not a guaranteed selling price.
• Realised auction price: The price recorded when an item sells. Check whether a published result includes the buyer's premium, as this affects comparisons.
• Seller's proceeds: The amount payable to the seller after the relevant commission and any applicable charges have been deducted.
• Insurance valuation: An estimate prepared for insurance purposes, which may differ from an expected auction result.

For this reason, there is no reliable universal price list that can value every military medal. Recent comparable sales, specialist knowledge and the particular history of your item provide a more useful basis for assessment.