A Sensitive Guide to Selling Inherited War Medals
Inheriting war medals often comes with mixed feelings. They represent someone’s service and sacrifice, and deciding whether to keep or sell them is a personal choice with no right answer. This guide is for those who have made the decision to sell, or are considering it, and want to understand the process.
Understanding What You Have
War medals typically come in groups - a set of medals awarded to one individual for their service. A common WW2 group might include:
- 1939-1945 Star - awarded for operational service
- France and Germany Star - for service in the European theatre
- Defence Medal - for service in the UK during the Blitz or other theatres
- War Medal 1939-1945 - awarded to all who served
WW1 groups typically include the 1914 Star (or 1914-15 Star), British War Medal, and Victory Medal - known collectively as “Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred.”
What Makes Medals Valuable?
The single biggest factor is attribution - whether the medal can be linked to a named individual. Most British medals from both World Wars are impressed or engraved with the recipient’s name, number, rank, and regiment on the rim or reverse.
An attributed group that can be researched is worth significantly more than a set of unnamed medals. If the recipient saw notable action, was mentioned in dispatches, or was killed in service, the historical significance increases the value further.
Other factors that affect value:
- Gallantry awards - Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, and similar awards command high prices
- Rare campaign medals - some theatre-specific medals were issued in small numbers
- Complete groups - a full set is always worth more than individual medals
- Original documentation - service records, photographs, letters, and identity discs add context and value
Should You Sell?
There is no obligation to sell inherited medals, and nobody should pressure you. Some families keep medals for sentimental reasons even if they have financial value. Others prefer to sell to a specialist collector who will research and care for them, rather than have them sit forgotten in a drawer.
If the medals are attributed, it is worth noting that many end up in regimental museums or private collections where they are displayed and studied. Selling to a specialist buyer is not throwing away history - it is often the best way to ensure the medals are properly preserved.
How to Get Medals Valued
The easiest approach is to send us clear photos of both sides of each medal, plus any engravings on the rim. If you have original documentation, photographs, or a medal box, include photos of those too.
We research the attribution wherever possible - checking service records, the London Gazette for mentions in dispatches, and casualty rolls. This research is free and included as part of our valuation. We believe understanding the history behind a medal group is part of our responsibility as buyers.
Every medal group receives an individual, itemised offer. We explain how we arrived at each figure, and there is never any pressure to accept.