Month: February 2025
The Craft of Miniature Medals
Miniature medals were introduced to allow serving officers and men to wear their honours conveniently on mess dress uniforms. These small yet intricate versions maintain the prestige of their full-size counterparts while being more practical for formal evening attire.
What Makes a True Miniature?
Authentic miniature medals are crafted exactly like their full-size versions, using multiple components, rivets, swivels, bars, and varied metals. Unlike tailor’s copies—often simplified for cost—true miniatures mirror the detailed construction of the originals. This craftsmanship results in significant price differences between genuine miniatures and unofficial reproductions.
During the Victorian era, some officers even had their miniature medals personally engraved in the same style as their full-size awards, adding to their uniqueness and historical appeal.
Featured Here:
A set of five true miniature medals, mounted on a bar with silk ribbons for mess wear, representing the service of a First World War regular who continued on the home front during the Second World War.
- 1914 Mons Star & Bar – Awarded to those who served in France or Belgium in the opening months of WWI.
- 1914-19 War Medal – Given to those who served in the First World War.
- 1914-19 Victory Medal – Issued to those who saw service in WWI and its associated campaigns.
- 1939-45 Defence Medal – Recognising non-operational military service in WWII, particularly for home front duties.
- George V Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal – Awarded to regular soldiers for long and exemplary service.
The medals are housed in a silk-lined presentation case by A.H. Baldwin & Sons, a name synonymous with numismatic excellence since 1872. As one of the world’s most renowned dealers in medals and coins, Baldwin’s legacy of quality and historical significance continues to this day.
Miniature medals like these offer a fascinating glimpse into military history, carrying the same honour and significance as their full-size counterparts—just in a more compact form.
From Mess Halls to Memorabilia: the Story of Forces Vouchers
Once a staple of military life, British Armed Forces Special Vouchers have had a turbulent journey in the collecting world. When these notes were officially withdrawn, a flood of remaining stock hit the market, causing prices to tumble. However, as time passes and collectors snap them up, their scarcity is steadily increasing—making them a strong candidate for future appreciation in value.
If you’re looking to invest, mint-condition notes or runs of consecutive serial numbers are particularly worth seeking out.
The 5p, 10p, and 50p vouchers were last in circulation during the Falklands Conflict of 1982, marking the end of an era. To put that time into perspective:
- A gallon of petrol cost £1.64
- A pint of beer was 61p
- A pint of milk (in a glass bottle) set you back 20p
These notes weren’t just military currency—they were designed specifically to prevent black market trading. Unlike standard banknotes, they were issued directly to service personnel and could only be used within military canteens, mess halls, and designated establishments. The fear was that regular money circulating in overseas bases could be exploited or lead to unofficial exchanges with the local economy.
Another little-known fact is that certain issues of these vouchers were deliberately printed in different colours and designs to prevent counterfeiting. The British military periodically changed the series, meaning some designs are significantly rarer than others. For instance, some early series were printed on fragile paper that deteriorated quickly, making well-preserved examples much harder to find today.
Though long out of use, these fascinating pieces of military and numismatic history are proving that, in collecting, old money can still hold value.
The Legend and the London Icon: Christopher Lee at the Market
Collecting vintage bubble gum cards isn’t just about baseball heroes anymore. Some of the most sought-after sets today come from the late 1960s and early 1970s, covering cult TV shows and even horror icons.
Planet of the Apes – APJAC (1974 TV Series)
These cards brought the world of intelligent apes and stranded astronauts into the hands of young collectors. While often mistakenly linked to the 1967 film, this set was based on the short-lived but much-loved 1974 TV series.
Kung Fu – A&BC (Early 1970s, Warner Bros.)
Inspired by the hit TV show starring David Carradine, this UK-issued set featured iconic scenes from the martial arts western. A&BC was well known for its high-quality trading cards, making this a sought-after collector’s item.
Shocking Laffs – Topps (1976) Featuring Christopher Lee
Blending horror and comedy, this series showcased classic monsters with tongue-in-cheek captions. Christopher Lee, famous for his portrayal of Dracula, was a standout in this set. Interestingly, he was known to visit this very market when he was in the London Bridge area.
What Are They Worth?
A complete set of these cards can fetch around £100, but a single signed Christopher Lee card could be worth significantly more—sometimes exceeding the value of the entire set.
For those who love vintage TV, horror, and nostalgia, these cards prove that baseball isn’t the only game in town when it comes to valuable collectibles.
Marked by War: Belgium’s Stamps Under Occupation
Stamps often capture more than just postal value—they hold echoes of history. These German stamps, overprinted for use by occupying forces in Eastern Belgium during the early days of the Great War, are a striking example.
Look closely and you’ll see two distinct overprints: “Belgien 10 Centimes”, used from 1914, and “Belgien 10 Cent.”, introduced from 1916. This small shift in typography reflects a larger story—the evolving German administration in occupied Belgium as they built up forces for the proposed invasion of France.
Primarily used on letters and postcards sent home, these stamps served as subtle signals to loved ones that their soldiers were stationed in Belgium. For collectors, they offer a fascinating challenge: assembling a complete set across all denominations. Higher values, like the 75-centime stamp, are particularly prized due to their scarcity—they were simply used less frequently.
More than just postage, these overprints are tiny artefacts of a world at war, each one a small but powerful window into the past.
