By Matt Crowson | Head of Medals and Militaria
As one the country’s busiest auction houses, we handle, and are asked to appraise huge amounts of items, from antique silver and jewellery, through to pottery, glass, furniture and paintings.
Specialist departments process the plethora of discoveries, one of the most successful being Medals and Militaria. We frequently see medals, badges and other personal effects from servicemen who served in WW1 and WW2.
Of course, this is no surprise, as there can barely be a family in the UK whose lives haven’t been touched by the spectre of war in the first half of the 20th century.
Millions of men, and women volunteered or were conscripted for service during the First World War of 1914-1918, and today, our tangible link to these brave individuals is seen in the many medal groups, cap badges, letters, diaries, and other items that pass through our sale room.
A WW1 medal pair, comprising of the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal, may be purchased for between £30 and £50, with such details as their regiment or corps, rank, or whether they survived the conflict affecting the value.
If the serviceman served in the early part of the war, they would also have earned themselves either the 1914 Star, or the 1915 Star, which will add to the value and collectibility.
For many dedicated collectors of such medals, and other military pieces, the investment potential is a secondary consideration.
The sense of history, and what the item represents are paramount, with enthusiasts often researching and displaying the items with pride.
Looking at military collectibles from purely a financial perspective, there can be little doubt that the right items can be a sound investment.
In the late 1980s, a standard WW1 medal trio may have been purchased for around £10. The same group today would likely provide you with at least a fivefold return on your investment.
For collectors with much larger budgets, a Victoria Cross was attainable for around £100,000 in 1990, but would now cost at least £250,000. The record price for a V.C is more than £900,000.
Demand remains strong for good quality pieces, with gallantry medal groups, fine quality swords and firearms, original uniforms, and war diaries, particularly sought after.
Fresh to market pieces, and items that have only ever remained with the respective families are also highly desirable.
Whether it be the specialists at Hansons, or the family members who own them, we remain custodians of these precious items for only a short time.
They will endure, outliving us all if they’re cared for appropriately, passing on through generations.
Militaria valuations
To gain a free, no-obligation valuation of items you are considering selling at auction please email: [email protected]
