WW2 British Air Crew Europe Medal

[Husky43]

I picked this up at an antique shop. I understand there are reproductions of this medal around. Can anyone tell me if this one appears genuine? Thanks/Cheers

[Sumserbrown]

I have only recently joined the forum and seen this post. 

Sadly, what you have is not an original medal, which would be worth >£350 ($415) in today's market.

At best you could describe your medal as a good tailors' copy, which is what it probably is.

 

Compared to the originals, the officially sanctioned reproductions appear to have the words "THE AIR CREW EUROPE STAR" rotated a little clockwise so that the point of the 'V' from 'VI' points down to the middle of the W in CREW. On the originals the point of the 'V' points to the left arm of the W. See my original below.

Rob

 

 

Below is an example of such a medal I bought knowing it was a tailors' copy.

 

On 7/26/2022 at 4:12 PM, Husky43 said:

I picked this up at an antique shop. I understand there are reproductions of this medal around. Can anyone tell me if this one appears genuine? Thanks/Cheers

 

Out of interest, what did you pay for your medal in the antiques shop?

Rob

 

[Husky43]

Thanks for the info. I only paid 25.00 so all is well.

[Sumserbrown]

That's a fair price, glad you didn't pay too much for it.

Rob

[S.ChrisKelly]

https://www.germanmilitaria.com/OtherNations/photos/C018091.html

[Sumserbrown]

2 hours ago, S.ChrisKelly said:

https://www.germanmilitaria.com/OtherNations/photos/C018091.html

 

I can't zoom in to the photo of that medal for sale and the photo itself is not very high quality, so it is a bit tricky to see but it looks to me that the obverse is a bit pitted, which could mean that it was cast rather than struck. I am very suspicious of it anyway.....

Rob

[Marshallj]

I thought “official” copies were clearly marked COPY on the rear.

[S.ChrisKelly]

Here's some assistance, and two images of the medal from Post #5:

 

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/staff/hartleyi/acediscussion.htm

 

https://www.medalsofengland.com/medals.php?id=148&medalid=803#:~:text=The basic surfaces on a,that nice original mint colour.

 

Addendum:

What concerns me is that the dealer didn't specify if this ACE Star is genuine or reproduction.  This is a generally reputable Canadian dealer.  The price is something of a give-away.  I think it's a fake.

 

[Sumserbrown]

Looking at it again more closely I can see that it is a reproduction - in the bottom center, the VI should join so that the right hand top stroke of the V should join the left of the top bar of the I. On this copy there is a very clear gap between the letters. As stated earlier, the dealer should clearly disclose whether this is genuine or reproduction, but agree that the price is a giveaway; a genuine one should be more like USD 400.

Rob