Collecting Military Medals: A Beginner’s Guide

This introductory guide to collecting military medals offers the reader all the requisite background information, the aims to which a new collector should aspire and the pitfalls to guard against, including the problem of identification of forgeries. The background to collecting military medals is inseparable from a study of history. As befits a nation for so long reliant upon naval strength for its independence, the earliest British medals were issued to the Navy, beginning with the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The first true campaign medals awarded to the Army followed the Battle of Waterloo, although many had been issued privately and unofficially before this. Britain’s outstanding imperial history dating to modern times means that there is a vast field of military medals covering service in Africa, India and China awaiting the attention of the collector. There are also collections relating to major wars, including the Crimean War, Boer War and the two World Wars. Colin Narbeth describes the medals awarded, and the actions which gave rise to special bars, ribbons and stars. Orders and decorations, including the Victoria Cross and the George Cross, both awarded for extreme valour, are described, as are the naming of medals and display. The volume is illustrated with numerous photographs selected by the author.