British war medals are very collectible and can change hands for tens of thousands of pounds. The UK has no equivalent of the U.S. Stolen Valor Act of 2005 and so there is no limitation upon their sale and obtain by dealers and collectors. It is vital though for the novice collector to be aware of the substantive distinction between service (or campaign) medals and gallantry medals. Service medals, otherwise referred to as campaign medals, are awarded to every serviceman or woman who has taken part in a specific conflict or campaign. There is no requirement that the soldier, sailor or airman has behaved in a specific, merely that they were there. The most common and collectible are British service medals from World War One, normally sold in pairs, and simply identifiable from their ribbons, assuming, of course, that the proper ribbon has been attached! Every single soldier taking element in the Great War received a War Medal and a Victory Medal. The name, serial range and regiment of the recipient of every single medal will be stamped on the side and it will be possible to research facts of his war record through the British Public Record Workplace and/or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is even probable sometimes to trace the recipient's living relatives! Other service medals to search out for are the 1914 Mons Star, awarded to members of the original British Expeditionary Force, and the 1915 Star. For these interested in the ANZAC involvement in the Terrific War, the 1915 Gallipoli Star is also hugely prized. Be aware although that the recipients of these medals were far fewer in quantity and, consequently, the medals become far more costly to obtain. A pair of War and Victory medals will alter hands for a thing in the area of $40 and the Mons Star maybe for $80. Examine this to the $120,000 you will require to spend for a Victoria Cross and you will instantly appreciate the difference to the collector amongst service and gallantry medals. The Victoria Cross is, of course, the highest award for gallantry in the British Armed Forces, equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor. It is rarely awarded and then, very usually, posthumously. Much more often witnessed in a museum there are some very substantial collections of Victoria Crosses in private hands. The award of British gallantry medals is also fascinating in that a distinction is produced in between officers and other ranks. For the same act of bravery that would result in an officer receiving the Military Cross, a member of the ranks would acquire the Military Medal. Similarly, in the Royal Air Force, in which an officer might obtain the Distinguished Flying Cross, a member of the other ranks would get the Distinguished Flying Medal. Collecting British War medals is a very rewarding and fascinating pastime and it is probable to build up a substantial collection of service medals. Collecting gallantry medals needs far greater sources and, really frequently, attendance at specialist auctions.
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British war medals are hugely collectible and can adjust hands for tens of 1000's of pounds. The UK has no equivalent of the U.S. Stolen Valor Act of 2005 and so there is no limitation upon their sale and obtain by dealers and collectors. It is crucial even though for the novice collector to be aware of the substantive distinction involving service (or campaign) medals and gallantry medals.
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