Collecting British Military Miniature Medals Guide
HILLMILITARYMEDALS.CO.UK
Here is our Helpful Guide to Miniature Medals which we hope you find useful.
Miniature Medals are half the size of full size medals and unlike Full Size Medals they are not issued but have to be purchased by the recipient. Normally these are worn on mess dress uniforms, black tie & suit functions. The ribbon width in most cases is 16mm wide for British, NATO and United Nations Medals.
As well as being worn by serving and Ex-Service personnel (men & women) many medal collectors and dealers are becoming attracted to these and collectors are turning to miniature medals for an affordable alternative to the ever increasing cost of Full Size medals.
Miniature Medals are becoming very popular and although they may all look the same there are many different versions which we will try to explain -
Approved Miniature medals - These are made and produced by suppliers who either hold a royal warrant or have a license to sell to and supply The Armed Forces and businesses which have been through examinations to keep the highest standards and quality through various in depth stages and processes. This means that every medal is almost identical and the same as the first produced. THESE ARE ONLY MADE IN THE UK.
Contemporary Miniature Medals - These miniatures are older in appearance and normally aged and produced in less quantities than modern day miniature medals and their value in most cases is higher than current manufactured medals and in many instances found in sets rather than singles. These are a lot rarer and harder to find with less coming onto the markets. The ribbons are normally faded from the original colour. Many Queen Victorian medals have swivel heads where the medal was able to turn and a lot where produced in Silver or Silver Plated.
Commemorative Miniature Medals - These medals can be purchased for almost any campaign and not issued by the medal office or armed forces. In years past these where referred to as "Bling medals" and were frowned upon by many, but are now slowly starting to be accepted by Veterans and Medal Dealers & Collectors. There are 2 main companies in the UK who design, produce and distribute these medals (to a high standard) and both give a percentage of their profits raised towards fantastic causes including charities & associations. These medals CANNOT be mounted with issued medals but worn underneath normal Issued Medals.
Imported Miniature Medals - Some sellers (not all) on internet auction sites sell miniature medals that look similar to proper approved medals but have not been checked for quality or approved for wear by anyone other than the seller. They are flatter, smaller, thinner and cheap nasty medals that look pathetic when compared to a proper medal. Although the picture may at first glance look the same as approved medals there is no comparison when compared to a medal.
The grey area with contemporary medals is that they are normally not stamped and don’t come with paperwork unless they are with a full size set making them hard to confirm if authentic. Many internet websites and online dealers have experience to help you through the minefield and can be trusted to guide you and points to look out for.
With issues in mind here are some tips and guides we recommend you look out for when looking at buying miniature medals.
Look at the outside of the ribbon and then the underside is the ribbon new underneath or is it in keeping with the age of the medal ?
Rub the front (obverse) with your thumb gently and see what metal it is i.e. bronze, Silver, Cupro Nickel etc.
If miniature medals have a thin line on the rim (bottom edge) of the medals they are unlikely to be made in the UK as they are made in one piece.
Check the medal ribbon is correct for the medal.
One of the best ways to buy contemporary miniature medals (and full size original named medals in fact) is to see and feel them at a Medal fair or militaria meeting and for all the years I have purchased from medal fairs I have never had a bad one and the sellers were as keen on medals as I am.
The next best way is specialist online medal dealers not just our company but many other well established medal companies who have been around for years and normally buy and sell between themselves.
We have also purchased contemporary miniatures from various internet auction sites and not been so lucky and of 14 so called "contemporary" medals 6 were genuine having returned the rejects we then confronted sellers who normally say "i thought it was" or it was sold to me as a contemporary. One medal had been intentionally aged on the ribbon with the inside edge brand new. Make sure the seller accepts returns and if in doubt send it back.
Miniature British World War 2 Medals - In Order of Wear
1939 - 45 STAR £5.50
ATLANTIC STAR £5.50
ARCTIC STAR £5.50
AIR CREW EUROPE STAR (ACE) £5.50
AFRICA STAR £5.50
PACIFIC STAR £5.50
BURMA STAR £5.50
ITALY STAR £5.50
FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR £5.50
DEFENCE MEDAL £9.00
WAR MEDAL 1939 - 35 (END OF WAR MEDAL). £9.00
The Above valuations are an average based on UK Made medals and suppliers prices.
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Point to note - Our Miniature medals are all lower than the average price above.
We will be adding to this section and all information is a guide and our belief’s based on information available and our own personal experiences.
After a long campaign by veterans there is now an addition to the WW2 Stars of the Arctic Star and Bomber Command clasp with a huge range of Commemorative medals now available and will continue adding new products ranges as they become available.
Many thanks
Tim Hill.
HILLMILITARYMEDALS.CO.UK