It is an interesting topic that Chet brings up and when I was done reading all the prior posts I have sat in front of my computer screen trying to put into words the feeling or sense I get from these things we collect so I hope I can convey what I feel about this topic with my limited skills at prose.
I think there is an emotional overlay to how one reacts to these various pieces, whether an "awarded" piece or a "purchased" piece. To me the important thing is not the from where it was obtained - an award ceremony or a shop - but the sourcefrom which it was obtained - was it from a soldier who had earned it or from a box of left overs.
As an example, my uncle was in the ETO and after had medals that were full size and pinned on his chest during parade formation, miniatures he purchased
to wear on dress occasions, medals he did not obtain until after the war that he was eligable to wear and a set of extras so that he framed one set and had another to wear. To me those all have equal value because they all belonged to the man that had earned them irregardless of the source. Now I could have gone down to a surplus store and purchased all of those same awards in as new condition in pristine cases but there is no way they could ever have the same emotional attachment or value as the one's from my uncle.
When I buy a piece for my collection it is as if I am buying two things: one is the piece of metal in my hand that was given for some type of achievement and if it was an awarded piece, the achievement itself. I know it sounds like I am splitting hairs but I am really not. To me it is two very distinct and different things.
So to me the awarded piece has much more value than the mint, unissued piece and I think that I am probably in the minority with that feeling. To me our hobby is a blend of the numismatists who value the condition of a piece more than the acts that earned it - and they seem to be in the majority - and the militarists who value the deeds beyond the condition of the item. Neither is right or wrong, just different philosophies.
So some people's shelves are full of nice clean cases with perfect specimens while others have shelves with pieces that may be broken or have some tarnish, scratches or rust on them. In the end it is what makes you happy with what you collect.
Just my opinion.
JAndrew
I think there is an emotional overlay to how one reacts to these various pieces, whether an "awarded" piece or a "purchased" piece. To me the important thing is not the from where it was obtained - an award ceremony or a shop - but the sourcefrom which it was obtained - was it from a soldier who had earned it or from a box of left overs.
As an example, my uncle was in the ETO and after had medals that were full size and pinned on his chest during parade formation, miniatures he purchased
to wear on dress occasions, medals he did not obtain until after the war that he was eligable to wear and a set of extras so that he framed one set and had another to wear. To me those all have equal value because they all belonged to the man that had earned them irregardless of the source. Now I could have gone down to a surplus store and purchased all of those same awards in as new condition in pristine cases but there is no way they could ever have the same emotional attachment or value as the one's from my uncle.
When I buy a piece for my collection it is as if I am buying two things: one is the piece of metal in my hand that was given for some type of achievement and if it was an awarded piece, the achievement itself. I know it sounds like I am splitting hairs but I am really not. To me it is two very distinct and different things.
So to me the awarded piece has much more value than the mint, unissued piece and I think that I am probably in the minority with that feeling. To me our hobby is a blend of the numismatists who value the condition of a piece more than the acts that earned it - and they seem to be in the majority - and the militarists who value the deeds beyond the condition of the item. Neither is right or wrong, just different philosophies.
So some people's shelves are full of nice clean cases with perfect specimens while others have shelves with pieces that may be broken or have some tarnish, scratches or rust on them. In the end it is what makes you happy with what you collect.
Just my opinion.
JAndrew
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