Replica Military Medals: Find Out Their True Value

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. It is sweet and proper to die for one’s country, said Horace, a well-known Roman lyric poet. It is true that becoming part of the military, serving to defend one’s homeland or assist with resolving a conflict elsewhere in the world, is as noble as can be, showing not only bravery but willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. No one knows this better than veterans, military members, and their families.

Medals are awards that serve as the tangible symbol that remind them of their service, as well as heroism, and all the selflessness they made while serving others. For the rest of us, they’re the perfect means to learn something about this service, fostering an appreciation for all the servicemen and women throughout the history of the country.

And while original medals are only given to the actual servicemen and women, and their families, we can still show off our respect for the heroes and heroines with replica Australian military medals that are created with particular attention to detail. There are those who question the existence and purpose of replicas in the first place, but there’s more to them than meets the eye.

The Many Benefits of Replicas

You don’t have to be a history buff or collector to appreciate the beauty of such items – especially now that they come with all the details you would expect to see in originals. This makes them of higher value than previously thought, especially if we consider they hold an allure for veterans too. And we’ll see why that is in a bit.

The Superior Methods of Production

When you get a company that specialises in making reproductions of Australian military medals, you can be sure the quality of design, material, and detail would be outstanding. Not only is there a great deal of research invested in the history, and events that happened, but also in the accuracy of the size, shape, as well as decoration of the originals.

Once the research is done, there’s the process of creating a blueprint prior to the selection of the ideal material. Most often, the metals of choice for replicas are more affordable options like brass, copper, zinc, and pewter, chosen for their resemblance to the original. On occasion, it’s possible to find more high end options too, like lead, silver, or even gold. With advanced machinery and techniques, like injection moulding and CNC machining, then there’s the creation of moulds where the detailing happens to guarantee finest quality and authenticity.

The next steps are the casting and production, followed by additional detailing in the form of adding finishing touches, such as applying enamel, painting, or doing electroplating to get the desired aesthetic that reproduces that of the original. The accuracy goes all the way to the ribbons, and the quality of the fabric, so you get military medals that are true to the real deal. Finally, once they’ve gone through all the necessary checks for quality, they’re placed in neat packages that come with labels, certificates of authenticity, and historical information.

The Collecting Potential

For an enthusiast, the chance to create their own curated collection of medals from the Australian military is simply too difficult to resist. What seems impossible with the originals, which can be way more expensive, or simply difficult to get if they’re special awards earned for acts of courage and service, is a dream come true with the reproductions (both full size and miniature) readily available at the military medal specialist stores.

Moreover, you get to preserve your replicas much like you would with actual medals, having to care for them with regular dusting and cleaning. Besides marvelling their beauty, you can also gush about how and where you display them, with lots of stunning wood cases to pick from. The showcased collections, in addition to the emotional value, can serve as the perfect focal points in a room, easily sparking a conversation and exchange of historical facts.

The Learning Potential

Having the chance to collect each and every army and war medal that have their importance in Australian history means having the opportunity to learn more about the past that defines us as a nation. Not only can you get to know more about the conflicts, historical contexts behind these awards, but also get to appreciate more of what the servicemen and women did for others and some of their inspiring or sad stories. Don’t be surprised if learning more of the glorious past makes you more of a history buff.

The Preservation of Legacy and Memory

When you receive an honourable award for your service, it’s natural to want to proudly wear it on special dates like Anzac. It’s also natural to want to preserve its value and prolong its lifespan. For veterans, military personnel, and their families, having replica army medals is a safer option for wearing on important occasions than showcasing the original and exposing it to the elements. On those unfortunate occasions when an original gets lost or damaged, a replica of it can also prove to be the ideal replacement that preserves the legacy and memory, as it gets passed down through generations.