Best places to find medals for sale?

Finding the best places to find medals for sale requires exploring both digital marketplaces and traditional collecting venues to build an impressive collection.

Online Marketplaces

eBay and Heritage Auctions

eBay remains the largest online marketplace for medal collectors, offering thousands of military, sports, and commemorative medals daily. Heritage Auctions specializes in high-end collectibles, featuring authenticated medals with detailed provenance documentation. Their quarterly auctions often include rare military decorations and Olympic medals.

Specialized Dealers

Established dealers like Weitze Military Antiques and London Medal Company offer curated selections with authenticity guarantees. These dealers typically provide detailed historical information and certification, making them ideal for serious collectors seeking investment-grade pieces.

Physical Locations

Coin and Medal Shows

Regional coin shows frequently feature medal dealers alongside numismatic vendors. Major events like the Baltimore Coin and Currency Convention attract specialized medal dealers from across the country. These shows offer opportunities to examine medals in person and negotiate prices directly.

Antique Shops and Estate Sales

Local antique shops occasionally carry medals, particularly military decorations and vintage sports medals. Estate sales can yield unexpected finds, especially in areas with military history or near former Olympic venues.

Auction Houses

Bonhams, Sotheby's, and Christie's regularly auction significant medal collections. While prices tend to be higher, these venues offer museum-quality pieces with extensive documentation and provenance.

Military Surplus Stores

Army surplus stores sometimes carry reproduction medals and occasional authentic pieces, though authentication is crucial when purchasing from these sources.

Tips for Success

Always verify authenticity through reputable grading services like PCGS or NGC when making significant purchases. Research current market values using sold listings rather than asking prices.

Whether you're seeking Civil War medals or Olympic memorabilia, these venues offer diverse opportunities to expand your collection. Start exploring these sources to discover the fascinating stories behind each medal.