Imperial Service Medals

[Carl Christense]

I've tried to research if there are modern copies (fakes) of Imperial service medals produced and sold as originals. Unfortunately, I haven't found much regarding modern fakes of service medals. Occasionally, I see them up for sale on websites, ebay, etc. The range in price from about $35 for reserve service or IX year Prussian Service Medals to several hundred for various 25 Year crosses.

Would someone care to ventrure an opinion on this subject? Posting photos of known copies or genuine medals and what to look for would be appreciated too.

Thanks in advance.

Carl C

[regular122]

Carl,

I can't help much on the copies but here are some common variants to take a look at. The big states are not scarce at all and can be found cheap. The smaller states are more scarce and can fetch better prices but can also be found at bargain prices due to folks just not knowing much about them.

First up are these that came off bars, clockwise from top: Saxon 9 year, Wuerttemberg 9 silver, Wuerttemberg 9 silver-wash, Prussian 15.

Steve

[regular122]

Here are the bars they came off of and it shows how they most of them are hook mounted on common enlisted bars.

[regular122]

Here are some singles - Saxon-Weimar 9 & 12 and a Hessian 12 Year.

I am sure others can post Prussian & Bavarian or others. This might make a fine thread to post them by state.

I am not aware of them being faked heavily as there is not much money in them. But I have seen a lot of common Imperial medals faked, so anything is possible I suppose. Steve

[Carl Christense]

Steve, nice pictures and a good way to start this thread. I saw the following two medals on ebay last week (I didn't bid on them). I don't know if they are good or not. Would someone care to comment? The first photo is a Landwehr Front.

Carl C

[Carl Christense]

Here is the reverse....

[Carl Christense]

Here is a Prussian IX Year Obverse....

[Carl Christense]

Here is the reverse. Like a said earlier, I don't know if they are good or not but am eager to learn more.

Carl C

[Scott Powell]

Carl, IMO the two medals you posted are just fine.

[Scott Powell]

here is Saschen Reserve Landwehr service medal

[Jesse]

As Scott said they are genuine. Long service medals are faked, but only the 12, 15 and 25 year from the lesser states, and even then relatively rarely.

J

[Carl Christense]

My two new medals

I just purchased two prussian service medals IX and XII year. I would like to get some feedback and add to our collective knowledge. Opinions welcome.

Here is the Prussian XII year medal front.

Carl C

[Carl Christense]

Here is the Prussian 12 Year Service Medal Reverse.

Carl C

[Carl Christense]

Here is the Prussian IX Year Obverse.

Carl C

[Carl Christense]

Here is the Prussian IX Year Reverse.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Carl C