Packets and Ribbons

[Ran]

Hi,

I'm confused. I'm looking for really good condition medals ( unless very rare )
but sometimes they look too new.

1) How can I tell if a medal is real when it looks as if it came out of the
factory just this second ?

2) How can I know if packets are original, they sometimes look so new,
without even some folds, I mean it had to survive 60+ and still look like
new without folds.

3) How can I know if a ribbon came with the original medal or added later ?
Is there a way that a ribbon was cut at the end ? ( in the example I'm
attaching the ribon is cut in a zig-zag way, is that the way it was originaly
cut ? ) And how can I know if the ribbon is an original one and not a
reproduction if it looks so new.

I'm attaching an image just as an example, there are lots of examples I
see everyday in some of the most respected dealer's site.

Hopefuly everybody understands that I just want to learn how to know
what to buy and by no mean accusing anybody of selling reproduction, I'm
still a newbie and therefore want to learn as much as I can.

Sincerely,

Ran

[Ran]

One more questions :

In some of the cases I see in some sites that they have 2 or more of the
same medal that look exactly the same ( 100% new ) with the same new
packet and the same new ribbon, how can that be ? Maybe they got some
items from a lot that came from a factory ?

Thanks,

Ran

[greg.hays]

Hi Ran, one way many use to tell if the ribbon and the packet are original is the black light test. If the items have a glow or eery frosted effect then chances are they are fake. But I 'm sure their are others out their who can elaborate on this for you. Greg

( More reason for a packet/case forum )

[Ran]

How is this black light used ? Can I buy it ? Is it like a flashlight or lamp ?

Also, this is a way to test the items after they were bought, isn't there any
way to know before buying ?

You guys are all experts, can you tell me for example if you are interested
in the medal in the picture how you analize/examine it to determine if to
buy it or not ( asuming you do want it and you are looking for a very good
condition ).

Got my first book 2 days ago and more will arrive very soon, no need to
tell that immediatly I "hit" the book and read half of it ( WW2 German Medals
by Christopher Ailsby ), while it gives detailed infromation there is a big
difference when I look at a big color image ( like I posted ).

I know I need to know who I buy from, and to show here in the forum, and
probably I'll learn how to "feel" an item with time.

So please explain the process of examining something like that.

Thanks,

Ran

[Laurence Strong]

When I see a photo of something I like I save the photo and then post it here for comments prior to buying. Most reputable places will send you more photo's when you request them and are willing to place an item on hold for you, especially for more high end items. You can buy a black light bulb in any light store. Those are the same bulbs they use to see the stamp in bars etc.

[Ran]

Thanks.



Ran