I know that tokens, exunomia, medallions, etc. are considered part of numismatics; but due to their (mostly) unofficial status I have never really been inclined to actively collect them. However, military medals are struck by official decrees, and carry huge symbolic status of historical events, which make them my cup of tea!
Many coin shops also sell some military medals, on the side; here are some of my British ones:
British WWII 'Star' medals; I have 5 out of 9 at the moment. L to R, the 1939-45 Star, the Burma Star, the Italy Star, the Atlantic Star and the Africa Star
British WWII medals; the Defence Medal in copper-nickel and the 1939-45 medal in silver
British WWI medals; the 1914-18 medal in silver, the British Inter-Allied Victory medal, and the 1914-15 Star (issued for a New Zealander called Mr. H.M. Barnes of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces)
I also have some from other belligerents of the World Wars; I'll dig them out later to post.
Personally I love them,
I try to get some if I ever see any but I only have a few.
It's hard enough to find interesting coins let alone medals where I am.
I love them for their story they can tell and amazing designs.
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
Hi Cass, regarding your British WWII 1939-45 medal - for everywhere except Canada, the medals are made from cupro-nickel. The Canadian ones are made of silver
(source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Medal_1939–1945 )
my grandfather received one even though he never made it into active service overseas, he was in the reserves. I mounted it in a shadowbox with his war items that I gave to my grandmother for her 90th birthday. Now that she has moved to a full care facility with little room of her own, it has come back to me..
Quote: "darcyrmt"Hi Cass, regarding your British WWII 1939-45 medal - for everywhere except Canada, the medals are made from cupro-nickel. The Canadian ones are made of silver
(source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Medal_1939–1945 )
my grandfather received one even though he never made it into active service overseas, he was in the reserves. I mounted it in a shadowbox with his war items that I gave to my grandmother for her 90th birthday. Now that she has moved to a full care facility with little room of her own, it has come back to me..
Wow, an amazing history...
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
Quote: "darcyrmt"Hi Cass, regarding your British WWII 1939-45 medal - for everywhere except Canada, the medals are made from cupro-nickel. The Canadian ones are made of silver
(source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Medal_1939–1945 )
my grandfather received one even though he never made it into active service overseas, he was in the reserves. I mounted it in a shadowbox with his war items that I gave to my grandmother for her 90th birthday. Now that she has moved to a full care facility with little room of her own, it has come back to me..
That's beautiful! What a treasure!
@CassTaylor I love the WWI Victory medals. Am I allowed to ask who yours belonged to? Not wanting to invade any privacy here, of course.
Quote: "MonaSeaclaid"That's beautiful! What a treasure!
@CassTaylor I love the WWI Victory medals. Am I allowed to ask who yours belonged to? Not wanting to invade any privacy here, of course.
Just looked on the edge; it belonged to a Private (No.25576) F. House of the Hampshire Regiment. Not anyone I know, so no privacy invasion
L to R: ND French Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieurs (not sure when issued); 1940-45 Belgian WWII Medal; 1940-41 Greek WWII Medal, 1971 French Civilian Medal (Ministere des Affaires Sociales), issued to a 'Mme A. Veau'
L to R: ND Japanese medal (I was told it was issued for the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War, but could also have been issued in the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937); another ND Japanese medal (probably for 1937 Mukden Incident), ND German Nazi-era medal, (issued sometime 1935-1945 'For Faithful Service), 1916-18 Austro-Hungarian Medal
L to R: 1951 Chinese medal (unsure for reason of issue); 1950-53 Chinese Korean War medal (sans ribbon); ND Soviet Union (R.S.F.S.R) WWII medal (sans ribbon)
Yes,
I also collect medals. I have my fathers, my grand fathers and my grand mothers plus a collection of German medals.
My grand mothers are on extreme left & right. Long service and distinguished service in an armaments factory. Know nothing else about them. My grand fathers WWI medals are the centre four
These are my dads, which he obtained during his national service in the late 1940's
Quote: "CassTaylor"Some more of my military medals:
L to R: ND French Croix de guerre des Théâtres d'Opérations Extérieurs (not sure when issued); 1940-45 Belgian WWII Medal; 1940-41 Greek WWII Medal, 1971 French Civilian Medal (Ministere des Affaires Sociales), issued to a 'Mme A. Veau'
Numismatists uk,
In my view, it would be a criminal offence to sell my fathers medals, or indeed, any of my relations medals as photographed.
The German medals do not hold any sentimentality at all, as just collected them out of my interest in WWI and WWII.
I do have a couple of other German medals, which I will add later, as going out for dinner now.
Quote: "COINMAN1"Numismatists uk,
In my view, it would be a criminal offence to sell my fathers medals, or indeed, any of my relations medals as photographed.
The German medals do not hold any sentimentality at all, as just collected them out of my interest in WWI and WWII.
I do have a couple of other German medals, which I will add later, as going out for dinner now.
Its easier to let go of medals you pick up such as those German pieces.
Your father was a very brave man who fought for our freedom.
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
Quote: "MonaSeaclaid"That's beautiful! What a treasure!
@CassTaylor I love the WWI Victory medals. Am I allowed to ask who yours belonged to? Not wanting to invade any privacy here, of course.
Just looked on the edge; it belonged to a Private (No.25576) F. House of the Hampshire Regiment. Not anyone I know, so no privacy invasion
That's awesome! I found his record, Francis House was also in the Labour Corps (413681).
Quote: "Monninen1"Sadly my generation missed WW2, I do not know about the finnish civil war...I am not the oldest alive.
There's nothing sad about missing war, war brings only pain and misery. There was a senseless war in my country not long ago and the aftermath is still being felt today, it destroyed families and the future of a whole generation, be thankful you or your family didn't have to experience anything like it...
On topic: I don't actively collect medals but I do have a few Austro-Hungarian ww1 era medals. My favorite is this Hungarian medal for participation in ww1, it's been in my family for a long time:
I collect and deal in ancient Roman coin. In case you're looking for affordable ancient coins or need any help with the coins you already have send me a message.
Quote: "Monninen1"Sadly my generation missed WW2, I do not know about the finnish civil war...I am not the oldest alive.
There's nothing sad about missing war, war brings only pain and misery. There was a senseless war in my country not long ago and the aftermath is still being felt today, it destroyed families and the future of a whole generation, be thankful you or your family didn't have to experience anything like it...
On topic: I don't actively collect medals but I do have a few Austro-Hungarian ww1 era medals. My favorite is this Hungarian medal for participation in ww1, it's been in my family for a long time:
Yes, war is only an instrument to gain peace, it is rusted and decayed and a blunt tool.
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
I actually ment to mean my family missed the war, but typed my generation.
My grandmothers father was a man in his fifties, and did not fight. He helped the people of Karjala escape from the areas Russia was going to invade. He also took many dogs, cats and farm animals, like cows with him. What I ment with "My family missed the war" is that the children were 10 year olds, then there was a large gap, the adults were 50 year olds.
He died in 1990s. Until his last months, they found more pieces of grenades from his back, as the Russians had blasted a grenade near him. I do not mean "sadly" as sadly, only because of the medals. But my grandparents (mothers side) are still alive, I could ask her about the medals of course. It would be nice to know about those.
@COINMAN1 Don't worry, I completely understand your sentiment and I didn't mean to impugne your father's service. I wasn't offering to purchase it, just noting that type is one I'm still missing in my collection. Apologies for any offence caused inadvertently.
@MonaSeaclaid That IS very cool! Try seeing if you can do anything with my 1914-15 Star issued for a New Zealander: 13/2294 TPR. H.M. Barnes of the N.Z.E.F. Pics are up above in my first post.
If you think about it, it's at least a little bit tragic how a lot of the military medals available today on the collectors' market were pawned off by less well-off veterans or their families.
Quote: "Monninen1"I actually ment to mean my family missed the war, but typed my generation.
My grandmothers father was a man in his fifties, and did not fight. He helped the people of Karjala escape from the areas Russia was going to invade. He also took many dogs, cats and farm animals, like cows with him. What I ment with "My family missed the war" is that the children were 10 year olds, then there was a large gap, the adults were 50 year olds.
He died in 1990s. Until his last months, they found more pieces of grenades from his back, as the Russians had blasted a grenade near him. I do not mean "sadly" as sadly, only because of the medals. But my grandparents (mothers side) are still alive, I could ask her about the medals of course. It would be nice to know about those.
I understand,
also it would be strange if a family missed 6 years of their life!
Very brave acts from your great-grandfather.
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
Quote: "COINMAN1"Cass,
No offence taken, I can assure you. I did not think for one moment you were actually wanting to buy it.
More medals below.
Medal given to people for setting up the 1936 Olympics
WWI Military Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords in original box. (Ribbon came much later)
Wow, its great to have the boxes with the medal.
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
Numismatist uk,
I have to agree with you. I have been to quite a few military fairs over the years, I have not seen many, especially in the original box.
To be quite honest, I have seen extremely few medals with their original box. I just think I was in the right place at the right time.
Quote: "COINMAN1"Numismatist uk,
I have to agree with you. I have been to quite a few military fairs over the years, I have not seen many, especially in the original box.
To be quite honest, I have seen extremely few medals with their original box. I just think I was in the right place at the right time.
The Iron Cross was a very prestigious medal to have as a German soldier
'We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.'
Sir Winston Churchill
I am curious to understand why there are so few Military Medals in Numista. If they are in our modern times not considered politically correct, then why this choice available in Numista?
My best guess would be that 99% of collectors on Numista are for most, coin collectors. Some of us, me included, collect other things, most of which are not included.
Banknotes are only a recently added section, so it will take years for other sections to be added.
I would imagine there is a similar website where military medals are listed, Colnect, being one of them.
On a recent forum question, it was asked, "what other things do you collect". The variety of stuff collected was quite wide. From military items, to bottle tops etc.
Quote: "COINMAN1"My best guess would be that 99% of collectors on Numista are for most, coin collectors. Some of us, me included, collect other things, most of which are not included.
Banknotes are only a recently added section, so it will take years for other sections to be added.
I would imagine there is a similar website where military medals are listed, Colnect, being one of them.
On a recent forum question, it was asked, "what other things do you collect". The variety of stuff collected was quite wide. From military items, to bottle tops etc.
I understand, but some of you have Military Medals, I also have a few. As there is a place for them on Numista why is it not used.
Numista is a site for money and adjacents (if it was for me much of exonumia would be thrown out) we don't want to be a collnect.
Orders aren't even in the realm of our site so they don't go on here. These round medals seem to be close enough to other medals that refs accept them.
Quote: "Idolenz"Numista is a site for money and adjacents (if it was for me much of exonumia would be thrown out) we don't want to be a collnect.
Orders aren't even in the realm of our site so they don't go on here. These round medals seem to be close enough to other medals that refs accept them.
I agree with you. I have also been guilty of putting silly things on Numista. However It would be practicable for one to be able use Numista, but then it would be another colnect.
These are the only medals I've collected. I have no interest in anymore. Once my kids inherit them, they probably end up at a thrift store somewhere.
Married, father of 2, grandfather of 4. Retired Navy - 25 years. Been to 45 Countries and know how to ask for beer in 135 languages and dialects. Passions: My wife of 49 years, Coin Collection, Woodworking, Photography, and being Politically Incorrect.
Quote: "Coins2see"These are the only medals I've collected. I have no interest in anymore. Once my kids inherit them, they probably end up at a thrift store somewhere.
join bonanza.com
you get some pocket cash, someone will love them.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
Quote: "Coins2see"These are the only medals I've collected. I have no interest in anymore. Once my kids inherit them, they probably end up at a thrift store somewhere.
Any chance of a description on each one. I think they look very interesting
Quote: "Coins2see"These are the only medals I've collected. I have no interest in anymore. Once my kids inherit them, they probably end up at a thrift store somewhere.
Any chance of a description on each one. I think they look very interesting
From left to right, they are:
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Navy Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
The ribbons below are:
Sea Service Deployment
Battle Efficiency
Presidential Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Citation
And the aircraft below are:
E2 Hawkeye
A4 Skyhawk
F4 Phantom II
P2 Neptune
P3 Orion
C130 Hercules
S3 Viking
A3 Skywarrior
F/A 18
Married, father of 2, grandfather of 4. Retired Navy - 25 years. Been to 45 Countries and know how to ask for beer in 135 languages and dialects. Passions: My wife of 49 years, Coin Collection, Woodworking, Photography, and being Politically Incorrect.
Wow,
That is one impressive list. Were they awarded to one person, maybe a family member?
Do you have them on display? If not, why not. I would, as I am sure you are, very proud to own them.
Mine are on display, but only in my office at my house.
I do like seeing these. I'll admit I'm likely the opposite of most of you. My interest is primarily military and wartime currency, ration items, military pay certificates, etcetera are just a part of it. My father once told my mother, if he'd known it would've been his youngest daughter and not his only son (older and from a different relationship) that he gave his things from the USAF to. Ironically, I was interested in all things military (models and militaria) before I was told he was military. I started collecting as reference for model figures, so I have a little of everything.
Here's an odd, chance find. It's the medal portion of a medal the city of Genoa awarded to one hundred men of the American 332nd Infantry Regiment in in bronze for service in Italy during World War I. Some officers got them in silver and the colonel in gold. Most of the men of the unit came from Ohio and one of them ended up in a flea market bin in Indiana. Now to find it a new ribbon.
.
