War medals are a fascinating area of collecting because they combine history, rarity, and personal stories. The value and desirability of medals depend on factors like the conflict, issuing country, rarity, condition, and whether they’re named to a specific soldier (and if that soldier has a notable service record).
Here’s an overview of the main types of war medals collectors look for:
Factors That Influence Value
- Rarity – Limited issues or medals from short-lived campaigns.
- Historical significance – Major wars (WWI, WWII, Napoleonic Wars, Boer War).
- Named medals – Engraved with the soldier’s name, unit, and service number.
- Provenance – Documented history of the medal’s recipient.
- Condition & Completeness – Medals with ribbons, clasps, and original boxes.
Categories of Collectible Medals
1. British & Commonwealth Medals
- Victoria Cross (VC) – The rarest and most valuable British medal, awarded for extreme bravery; individual VCs can fetch hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Military Cross (MC), Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), Military Medal (MM) – Popular among collectors.
- Campaign Medals – e.g., Waterloo Medal (1815), Crimean War Medal (1854–56), Indian Mutiny Medal (1857–58), Boer War medals (1899–1902).
- WWI Medals – The “Pip, Squeak and Wilfred” trio (1914–15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal) are common, but named sets with history are desirable.
- WWII Medals – More common, but gallantry awards (DSO, George Cross, etc.) stand out.
2. American Medals
- Medal of Honor – Not traded legally (still issued), but related campaign medals from Civil War, Spanish–American War, WWI, and WWII are collectible.
- Purple Heart (esp. WWII or Vietnam era, engraved examples).
- Civil War Campaign Medals – Highly collectible, particularly with provenance.
3. European Medals
- French Legion of Honour (esp. Napoleonic era).
- German Iron Crosses – From 1813, 1870, 1914, and 1939; WWII-era Knight’s Cross versions are highly sought after.
- Russian Imperial Medals (Crimean War, Russo-Japanese War).
4. Specialist Areas
- POW & Gallantry Medals – Particularly valuable when tied to escape attempts or resistance fighters.
- Naval & Aviation Medals – Popular among collectors interested in specific services.
- Colonial Campaigns – Medals from smaller, exotic wars (Zulu War, Sudan, Boxer Rebellion).
Collecting Tips
- Start with a focus (e.g., WWI medals, aviation awards, one country).
- Always check authenticity — fakes are common, especially with high-value medals.
- Medals with service records, photos, or letters command higher prices.
- Join medal societies (like the Orders & Medals Research Society (OMRS) in the UK).
collector’s guide to 10 of the most valuable and desirable war medals — the ones serious collectors hunt for, with typical value ranges (note: prices vary depending on provenance, rarity, and auction demand).
Top 10 Most Valuable & Collectible War Medals
1. Victoria Cross (VC) – UK & Commonwealth
- Awarded for: Extreme gallantry “in the face of the enemy.”
- Era: Since 1856 (Crimean War onwards).
- Value: £150,000 – £400,000+ (record prices over £1m for famous recipients).
- Why collect: The rarest and most prestigious medal; only 1,300+ awarded.
2. George Cross (GC) – UK & Commonwealth
- Awarded for: Civil or military heroism (not in direct combat).
- Era: Since 1940 (WWII).
- Value: £20,000 – £50,000+.
- Why collect: Extremely scarce, often tied to dramatic civilian bravery stories.
3. Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross – Germany (WWII)
- Awarded for: Exceptional battlefield bravery/leadership.
- Variants: Oak Leaves, Swords, Diamonds (rarer with each grade).
- Value: £5,000 – £100,000+, depending on grade and provenance.
- Why collect: Iconic German award, but beware of fakes.
4. Waterloo Medal (1815) – UK
- Awarded for: Service at the Battle of Waterloo.
- Value: £2,000 – £15,000+ (higher for certain regiments).
- Why collect: First British campaign medal issued to all ranks, named to the soldier.
5. US Civil War Medals
- Notable Types: Confederate Medals of Honor (extremely rare), Union campaign medals.
- Value: £1,000 – £20,000+.
- Why collect: Tied to one of the most studied wars; named examples highly prized.
6. Distinguished Service Order (DSO) – UK
- Awarded for: Officers’ distinguished leadership in combat.
- Era: Since 1886.
- Value: £2,000 – £10,000+.
- Why collect: Often comes in groups with other medals, raising value.
7. Purple Heart – USA
- Awarded for: Wounded or killed in service.
- Era: Since 1932 (retroactive to WWI).
- Value: £300 – £3,000+ (engraved/named WWII examples fetch much more).
- Why collect: Highly symbolic; personal stories of sacrifice add value.
8. Boer War Medals (South Africa 1899–1902)
- Notable Types: Queen’s South Africa Medal (QSA) & King’s South Africa Medal (KSA).
- Value: £300 – £5,000+.
- Why collect: Many clasps for different battles/campaigns make them appealing.
9. French Legion of Honour (Napoleonic-era examples)
- Awarded for: Outstanding merit in civil/military service.
- Value: £1,000 – £15,000+ (Napoleonic originals).
- Why collect: France’s highest order; Napoleonic versions especially prized.
10. Russian Imperial Orders & Medals (Pre-1917)
- Examples: Order of St. George, Order of St. Andrew.
- Value: £5,000 – £50,000+.
- Why collect: Rare survivors of Imperial Russia; craftsmanship is outstanding.
Key Tip for Collectors
- Provenance is everything — medals with documents, photos, or service histories can multiply in value.
- Groups/sets of medals (kept together as awarded) are worth far more than single pieces sold separately.
- Watch for fakes — especially German WWII awards and Victoria Crosses.