EIIR Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal

[Guest Darrell]

Picked this one up recently. Cased Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to a SERGT PATRICK J. CULLEN:

Case Top:

[Guest Darrell]

Case Bottom:

[Guest Darrell]

Case Open:

[Guest Darrell]

Obverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Reverse:

[Guest Darrell]

Medals in Case 1:

[Guest Darrell]

Since it's IMPOSSIBLE to edit wrong attachments !!

Try this one again:

OBVERSE IN CASE ~!!!

[Guest Darrell]

Naming 1:

[Guest Darrell]

Naming 2:

[Mervyn Mitton]

An excellent example Darrell - absolutely mint with it's original box. I'm sure you know that it was given for 22 years exemplary service. At one time it was also awarded in Australia, but I think they now have their own version. Do you know anything about him - where he served etc.?

I only got the exemplary certificate - wasn't in nearly long enough for a medal...

The Naval L.S. also looks as if it hasn't been worn - these are always very collectable.

[Guest Darrell]

Hi Mervyn, no unfortunately, I don't have any info regarding the recipient.

[leigh kitchen]

I have an idea that the recipients police force is now stamped on the medals? I think mine, from 1982 has the name of the force on it.

I was surprised that the metal of a mint condition medal is as "attractive" as it is, because they're cupro-nickel are'nt they, rather than silver?

I think of cupro-nickel medals & I think of things like the WWII War Medal & Defence Medal, generally a dull colour, but the police long service looks like brilliant silver - or is it silver?

Edited October 18, 2009 by leigh kitchen

[Mervyn Mitton]

No - cupro-nickel, Leigh. They're not that generous. I suppose being kept in it's case the high polish has remained.

[Guest Darrell]

Guys, I'm 100% sure this one is Rhodium Plated. It's the exact same as most of the modern Canadian Medals. It definitely has an effect on the crispness of the strike as the plating tends to dull the features someone. Much more so than the Curpo Nickle or silver grades.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Darrell

[Mervyn Mitton]

Have just checked the copy of The Medal year Book that is kept in the study and material is shown as cupro-nickel. The copy is an oldish one that I keep here for ref. but I doubt they would change the metal. I think you will find that it is original polishing.

[Guest Darrell]

.... I think you will find that it is original polishing.

Hmm ... could be ... but like Leigh said, I don't think Cupro-Nickle polishes like this. It's a dull color. Just gets duller the more you scrub Unless they were Nickle plated copper ... which would shine.

Edited October 18, 2009 by Darrell

[Tony Farrell]

The changeover to rhodium plating occured around 1980, as the quality of the cupro-nickel used was deemed unsatisfactory. Some cupro-nickel medals polish up surprisingly well and hold their shine for quite some time. Unfortunately, the Police (& Fire LSMs) didn't, so the plating option was decided upon.

The pre-1995/6 issues were better quality than those subsequently struck by the Birmingham Mint between 1995/6-2007. The return of the contract to the Royal Mint, however, has (unfortunately) not seen a return to the old standard, and the medals look like cheap copies.

[Guest Darrell]

The changeover to rhodium plating occured around 1980, as the quality of the cupro-nickel used was deemed unsatisfactory. Some cupro-nickel medals polish up surprisingly well and hold their shine for quite some time. Unfortunately, the Police (& Fire LSMs) didn't, so the plating option was decided upon.

The pre-1995/6 issues were better quality than those subsequently struck by the Birmingham Mint between 1995/6-2007. The return of the contract to the Royal Mint, however, has (unfortunately) not seen a return to the old standard, and the medals look like cheap copies.

Tony, thanks for the clarification.

[Tony Farrell]

And as a comparison, a non-plated pre-1980 EII example. It's surprising how much crisp definition is swamped by the plating process.