SS 4yr Long Service Medal & IAB (opinions)

[John T]

These pictures being posted for Chris are of an original example.


Four:

[Steve T]

Curt mentioned coin and thats a good way to think of it. Take a Deschler for example like the one belonging to Chris which is mint. His should match my mint one exactly, be 'exactly similar', detail for detail, flaw for flaw. They were never cast and should never have any bubble pockets, they are a 'coin'

Mint ones are the easiest to ID, perhaps pick a small area and study it, know the stippling pattern, there are certain lines and depressions more obvious than others which will match and can be used as ID points, medal to medal.

Some folks say SS is a tough area for medals but the great thing about all the SS service medals is they are easier than some to ID because there is so much detail in them

These pictures being posted for Chris are of an original example.


Four:

[Steve T]

So mine is real and is a Deschler?

Yes, I concurr, the medal in question is an original . Just lost its finish somehow!

Curt mentioned coin and thats a good way to think of it. Take a Deschler for example like the one belonging to Chris which is mint. His should match my mint one exactly, be 'exactly similar', detail for detail, flaw for flaw. They were never cast and should never have any bubble pockets, they are a 'coin'

Mint ones are the easiest to ID, perhaps pick a small area and study it, know the stippling pattern, there are certain lines and depressions more obvious than others which will match and can be used as ID points, medal to medal.

Some folks say SS is a tough area for medals but the great thing about all the SS service medals is they are easier than some to ID because there is so much detail in them

[Robert J.D.]

Thank you all for your help! I'm glad to see mine is real, however, how much does it hurt the value of the medal to be missing most of it's finish? What do these usually sell for?


Thanks!

[CurtD]

These pictures being posted for Chris are of an original example.


Four:

That is a VERY nice 4 year. I guess that is why they call him SScollector.

[CurtD]

Thank you all for your help! I'm glad to see mine is real, however, how much does it hurt the value of the medal to be missing most of it's finish? What do these usually sell for?


Thanks!

There have been some wide price swings in SS medals lately. I would say this one is worth $300 - $450.

[SScollector]

Hi all,

I would like to thank John for posting the pictures for me.

Also, I want to say that I agree with everything that Steve said.
In my opinion, the SS service medals, (as long as they are near top condition), are one of the easiest SS items to learn to distinguish from the fakes, once you have studied some originals in the flesh.
They are so complex and in my opinion, they are one of the best SS items that you can get for the money, especially if you are just starting to collect SS.

They are just so beautiful. I fell in love with the SS service medals when I first laid eyes on a mint 8-year. I don't know much about the P & L versions yet, but I can say that the Deschlers all have the same characteristics and sharpness in details amongst the 4, 8, 12 and 25 year medals.
I think the 4 year SS medals finishes wore much easier than the 8 year medals and therefore, they are more difficult to find in mint or near mint condition, than the 8 years.

By the way, has anyone ever seen a 12 year by P & L?

Best, Chris

[SScollector]

Also, I would say that a mint 4 year with a nice ribbon would be around $450.
That's about what I've got in mine.

Best, Chris

[CurtD]

They are just so beautiful. I fell in love with the SS service medals when I first laid eyes on a mint 8-year. I don't know much about the P & L versions yet, but I can say that the Deschlers all have the same characteristics and sharpness in details amongst the 4, 8, 12 and 25 year medals.
I think the 4 year SS medals finishes wore much easier than the 8 year medals and therefore, they are more difficult to find in mint or near mint condition, than the 8 years.

By the way, has anyone ever seen a 12 year by P & L?

Best, Chris

I posted a 4 year P&L (I own 2). I've been working on getting an 8-year P&L (own a Deschler).

I don't know how to tell the difference between 12 year manufacturers (or who made them). 12 years are pretty hard to come by.