Military medals are highly collectible and yet care needs to be taken when considering their sale or purchase. There are no restrictions in the sale of British Army medals, for example, and yet the same cannot be said of U.S. Army medals. A distinction needs to be made between service medals and gallantry medals. The sale of service medals is legal but the sale of gallantry medals, on the face of it, is not and could land you with a large fine and possibly even a prison sentence.
Service medals are awarded to all servicemen in recognition of their service in a particular theater of war or campaign. Simply being there is enough to qualify for the medal although in saying that I should clarify that I am in no way seeking to belittle the contribution made by all servicemen and women when on active service.
Gallantry medals on the other hand are awarded for acts of conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy or conduct above and beyond the call of duty.
The highest award in the British Army is the Victoria Cross and some of the more famous ones awarded can be seen in either the Imperial War Museum or the National Army Museum. The sale of the Victoria Cross is not illegal under British Law and so there are some large collections of Victoria Crosses in private hands. Rarely does a Victoria Cross come up for sale at auction but when it does the hammer price will usually exceed $120,000.00 laser awards.
In the U.S. Army the highest award for gallantry is the Medal of Honor, awarded to a serviceman who distinguishes himself “…conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.” It can also be awarded to service women, of course.
The Medal of Honor is protected by the Stolen Valor Act and its misuse is a federal offense. It is punishable on conviction by a fine of up to $100,000.00 and a prison sentence of up to one year in length. Wearing it and other gallantry medals when you are not entitled to do so (and few are!) is an offense and is the primary purpose of the Act. It does, however, mean that all collectors of military medals need to be familiar with the terms of Stolen Valor Act, which came into force in December 2006.
The Stolen Valor Act renders unlawful the unauthorized wear, manufacture, sale or claim (either written or verbal) to any U.S. military medal. Its aim is to protect the reputation and importance of gallantry medals and it was largely intended to stop the manufacture and sale of fakes. Its effect, however, has been to prevent their wider sale. Be aware, therefore, that it will apply to any U.S. gallantry medal offered for sale. This will include not only the Medal of Honor but also any form of Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star and Purple Heart, amongst others. You have been warned!