Medal Investment

Investing in rare medals - a growing asset class

Rare medals are an asset to be coveted.  Not only are recent auction realisations for wartime medals constantly breaking records, but each medal comes with its own extraordinary true story, resonating through significant moments in history. 

They are an asset to be coveted, not just for its store of value, but for much, much more than that.

You already know that Stanley Gibbons are stamp experts. We pride ourselves on our reputation and expertise, which allow us to offer you the finest philatelic rarities for collecting and investing in. This also gives us the buying power to secure some of the very best stock available on the open market for you.

That reputation coupled with the strength of our brand has allowed us to branch out recently and use our contacts to bring to you some alternative, very select and compelling assets for further diversification.

Now we can offer you rare medals, an asset class which has exciting growth possibilities, but potentially several times more ‘desirability’ than your average asset class. 

The reason? Each item comes with its own extraordinary true story; each piece resonates through history.

Although we’ve chosen the medals carefully for their rarity and their ability to hold and increase in value, the scope of our selection is very exciting. You could own medals from the Battle of Trafalgar or the Indian Mutiny, from World War II to medals awarded to heroes of the Falkland Islands campaign.

Some of the names make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end – Trafalgar, Waterloo, The Charge of the Light Brigade, the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, Gallipolli… 

Simply call us on 0845 026 7170 (UK) or 00 44 1534 766 711 (Int) or email us at investment@stanleygibbons.com to express your interest and let us know how much you’d like to invest and we’ll do the rest for you.

But you may be sceptical – for all their emotive power, are medals really a good investment bet and diversification option?

Well, as a snapshot, a George Cross awarded to Corporal James Scully, who in 1941, used his own body to shield a couple from falling debris in their bombed out house, fetched a world-record £72,000 in summer 2011. The medal was sold to an anonymous bidder at 50% over the guide price at a London auction house.

An expert was not surprised at the record price, saying:

"Not only would such a thing be of massive interest to any militaria collector or museum but because of its rarity and context, medals of this type will always make strong alternative investments."

The same summer also saw the Military Cross medal awarded to a Fijian soldier in the British Army auctioned for a record £28,000. Bidding for the medal commenced at £13,000-£15,000.

The medal was awarded for "conspicuous gallantry and leadership beyond the call of duty" after the soldier was shot in the chest, but still led his team to safety despite engaging gunmen for 3 hours.

Every medal has a story behind it and, if you invest in the right ones, they offer you a great investment opportunity.

Here is another opportunity for you to diversify into a tangible, heritage asset currently realising strong prices and showing good growth potential – it’s also your chance to invest in heroes.

Alternatively, please call us on 0845 026 7170 (UK) or +44 1481 708 270 or email us on investment@stanleygibbons.com.

Just have a look at two examples of what we have on offer:

A superb C.M.G., 'Gallipoli' D.S.O., and rare 'Archangel Command' Albert medal group of eight to Captain G.P. Bevan, Royal Navy, who extricated a trapped and wounded seaman from a burning munitions ship in the Port of Archangel, 8.11.1916, despite small arms ammunition exploding all around him. £42,500.

The C.M.G. group of ten awarded to Brigadier-General Malcolm Peake, Royal Artillery, who commanded an Egyptian Army artillery battery throughout the reconquest, later became responsible for the epic feat of clearing a channel through the swamps of the southern Sudan to Uganda, and went on to command the 29th Division artillery at the battle of the Somme. £6,250.

If you’d like to discuss this investment opportunity with us, please call 0845 026 7170 (UK) or 00 44 1534 766 711 (Int). Alternatively you can email us on investment@stanleygibbons.com or fill in the form above.