Lasered Medals - warning !

[Mervyn Mitton]

Just a reminder - no particular medal or, incident in mind. Lasering of medals to re-place naming is still going-on in a big way and this is just a nudge to non-specialist collectors to look carefully. Mainly it is the more valuable medals that are at risk - gallantry etc. - however, if there is a value then all are at risk

Their favourite trick is to research groups that have probably not seen daylight for years. The correct medals are obtained - many being un-named - and then the laser engraver does a perfect job of entering the inscription. I have only been caught once - and it took medal experts in London three weeks to establish that it had been lasered. The UK source I had bought from acted honourably and took it back - but, this does not always happen.

Look carefully - if buying from a dealer, make sure you have a returns policy in place - and remember, auctions are covered by their sales agreements - which you have accepted when you bid. Sad - but this is the World we live-in in 2011