should you clean a gallantry order?

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - Darrell. I would say ' borderline ' - it has been in contact with something which has caused slight corrosion. However, if it were mine, I would leave it - the original patina is part of the colour. Apart from that, Relief of Ladysmith is some £450 ( $750) so a good reason to leave alone. However, Chris does have a good point - and it is one I have mentioned a few times. Within a few months cleaned silver will recover it's patina - just perhaps not the gleam that comes with age.

I bought two great groups this morning and will try to post them next week - you will want to extend your interests when you see them - well, some you already have ....