WHAT WAR MEDALS ARE WORTH.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 96, 15 October 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

WHAT WAR MEDALS ARE WORTH.

The immense local enthusiasm that is being evinced for the winners of the * V.C. in their own districts proves hoir high this much-sought-after reward ranks in the estimation of the public, and the layman may be pardoned tor envying the soldier or sailor the opportunity of winning so magnificent a token of the nation's goodwill and recognition of gallantry on the field. Curiously enough, it was not until the accession of Queen Victoria that the custom of giving war-medals to all branches, of the services came into existence, although there are many cases of medals —public and private—being unofficially granted before that period. The Trafalgar medal, for instance, was given to the men who fought in that,memorable sea-fight by Mr. Boultonj of Soho, the well-known engineer. The medal itself was made in gold, silver, and white metal, and was suspended from a dark-blue ribbon. The obverse bears the bust of Lord Nelson, while the reverse contains a representation of the Battle of Trafalgat, and the words, " England expects that every man will do h : s duty." It is quite a misapprehension for people to think mat such a medal as that given for good service in the Peninsular war was 6truck off at the time. The medal, in fact, was not presented to officers and men taking part in the battles until 1848. As there were not many veterans then left, the number of medals given away was not large. Indeed, the medal is now exceedingly scarce, one with two bars having fetched a.s much as £6O. The Waterloo medal generally brings a good price; and Crimean medals aire ,' hard to obtain. Dealers have thousands and thousands of medals of all kinds in stock; some are originals, while many are copies. In fact, the extent of their trade in copies and miniatures of medals and decorations would aurpiiie most people. Persons who possess a medal are often afraid of losing it, and, in order to insure its safety, they wear a copy instead of the original. Then for miniatures there is always a large demand, more especially from officers, who, however, are much more sparing in their use of medals and decorations which they have won in the field. A medal of great rarity is that presented in connection with the early Afghan wars. The Victoria Cross is very highly valued in the market. A genuine one, obtained by a soldier or sailor for some gallant action, will fetch £SO or more under the hammer. But it is not often there is a chance of purchasing one, for the man who obtains the Victoria Cross needs to be in very low watcjr before he will dispose of such a decoration. Besides, it was given to him by his Sovereign, and he would regard himself as unworthy were he to try and make money on it. But copies are often sold to the possessors of Victoria Crosses who are afraid of showing the original in public; and, curiously, even the people to whom the copies are gold, are unable to tell them from the original. The correct weight of the Victoria Cross is .755; the weight of a copy comes to .759, ana nothing can maKe it heavier. The original is made from bronze cannon captured from the enemy. Old soldiers ana others make queer requests of dealers. One man had lost his medal, and went in tears to a dealer to help. He was able to give him a - copy so like the real thing that for the moment he was quite deceived. About the time of Ba'aclaya day, dealers are inundated with veterans anxious to renew their ribbons, and who borrow a medal to replace an original that has been lost. The commonest medal, from a collector's point of view, is probably that issued for the South African campaign. So many were granted that hundreds have come on the market, and they may be purchased at pawnbrokers or medal dealers for a few shillings.