military cross help

hi there im just starting out in medals and was wanting to purchase a british military cross any ideas how much i should pay ? or can someone advise me on the average price thanks

See http://www.dnw.co.uk

Click on "About the medals website."

Click on "Online Numismatic Database"

Ask it to "Search Entire Data Base" using the Category of "Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry".

From that point you should be able to search using the term "M.C.", although many of the entries will be for multiple awards (i.e. a man with a CBE and an MC will turn up, as well as the man who has only an MC) and at least half the entries will be for groups (i.e. a man's MC plus all his campaign medals) rather than just the gallantry award in which you are interested.

But it will give you prices and lots of information on the people getting the gongs.

thanks a lot very helpfull website

Hi 9zap , and welcome.
Thats a great choice your thinking of mate . The M.C. is definately a fine medal .
Some things to consider might be . The price will depend as Hugh said , wheather it's in a group or as a single . Groups are normally going to go for a higher price ofcourse , unless the single is to someone special . The WWI M.C. comes unnamed as issued , so one that has been personally engraved and can be attributed to someone normally goes for a higher price than one that can't . You should find that an infantry awarded cross will go for a higher figure and an artillary cross , and one to the R.F.C. will go for much higher than that . One to one of the colonials also will be more expensive ( Australia had 2000 awarded during WWI , and they cost a fair bit ) .
I guess you could have worked that out for yourself , but what I really wanted to say was , just be a bit careful in your purchase mate . There was a very good fake M.C. released in the U.K. several years ago ( i've seen a scan of it and far as i can tell it's only a slight difference in the crown that gives it away , maybe also the slightest difference in dimensions also ) . If you know what your looking for , then you will find a cheaper one on places like e-bay , and they might well be genuine , but you need to be able to ask the seller the right questions . It's much more safer to deal with a reputable medal dealer ( i've found Philip Burman to be excellent in the U.K. ) . You will pay more for the item in some cases from a dealer , but at least you know what you are getting .
If your going to deal with someone from an auction house like e-bay . You should be very sure to ask for close up scans of the ribbon and the obverse and reverse of the medal . Ask if the ribbon is the original ribbon issued with the medal ( you will be amazed at how this wording can be twisted around and they will tell you it's an original ribbon , only for you to find that it's an original reproduction ) . Also ask for the weight of the medal , and the measurements from the tip of one arm to the other .
If thats the way you want to go ( and my advise would still be to deal with a professional ) then I should be able to e-mail a mate of mine and get all the spec's again for the original cross .
Anyway ...good luck ...I wish I was buying my first M.C. again !!...it's such a blast to hold one for the first time .
Phil.

[Michael]

I will second the recommendation for Phillip Burman - we did a fair amount of business back in the days when I could afford medals :'(

In Canada I would also recommend Gene Ursual (E.G. Ursual) - I've dealt with him for over 22 years.