When managing estate liquidations, professionals often come across items that hold more than just financial value. Some pieces carry deep historical and emotional significance. Military medals and memorabilia are among the most meaningful, reflecting stories of service, sacrifice, and national heritage. Handling these items requires more than just appraisal skills. It calls for sensitivity, an understanding of their historical context, and knowledge of the legal considerations involved.

The U.S. has an estimated 18 million veterans, and nearly half of those are over the age of 65. Undoubtedly, you will encounter militaria memorabilia as a liquidator. Fortunately, there is a strong market interest – Over 4.4 million users visit EstateSales.NET each month, and militaria ranks in the top 20 most-searched categories each time. This guide is here to support estate professionals in identifying, valuing, and ethically selling military memorabilia, while honoring the legacy of those who served and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws.

Understanding Military Medals and Memorabilia

Military memorabilia spans a wide range of items associated with the armed services. The value of these items can range from common surplus to highly collectible artifacts, influenced by factors such as rarity, provenance, and condition.

Common categories include:

Medals and Decorations
These medals recognize achievements, valor, and service. Key U.S. military awards include:

  • Medal of Honor (rare, and legally non-transferable)
  • Purple Heart
  • Bronze Star and Silver Star
  • Campaign and Service Medals e.g., Vietnam Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal

Uniforms and Insignia

  • Full dress uniforms, often adorned with rank insignia
  • Unit patches and service ribbons
  • Headgear, such as helmets and garrison caps

Documents and Paper Ephemera

  • Discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Unit rosters, orders, and military ID cards
  • Letters, journals, and photographs from service members

Field Gear and Equipment

  • Canteens, mess kits, ammo pouches, and other military-issued personal items

Souvenirs and Bring-Back Items

  • Captured enemy equipment or insignia (particularly from WWII)
  • Foreign currency or medals from other countries

Estate liquidators must tread carefully when handling military memorabilia, particularly medals. These items often carry deep historical significance and are subject to a patchwork of legal and ethical considerations. To ensure compliance and preserve the dignity of these artifacts, it’s essential to understand what can, and cannot, be legally sold. Here’s a breakdown:

Items That Cannot Be Sold:

  • Medal of Honor: Under U.S. law (18 U.S. Code § 704), it is illegal to sell or have unauthorized possession of the Medal of Honor. Violations can result in significant fines and legal consequences.

  • Certain military-issued equipment: Items may be considered government property if they were never officially released or decommissioned from government inventory. Selling these without proper authorization is illegal.

Items That Can Be Sold (Generally):

  • Service medals: Most campaign and service medals, excluding the Medal of Honor, are legal to sell if they are privately owned.

  • Uniforms and insignia: Dress uniforms, rank insignia, and related attire are widely collected and legally traded, especially if they are no longer in active service use.

  • Field gear and personal effects: Items like canteens, mess kits, duffels, and other issued gear are typically allowed, especially if dated.

  • Historical photographs, letters and documents: Personal correspondence, historic photos, and service-related documents offer historical value and are legal to sell.

Important: Always confirm whether the items in question were privately owned or government issued. For modern equipment, legal private ownership or proof of decommissioning may be required before the sale.

Ethical Considerations and Best Practices

Military items carry significant emotional weight, and respecting this context is key for estate liquidators. By adhering to ethical standards, estate sale companies build trust and maintain integrity in their business dealings.

Consider the following guidelines:

  • Obtain proper consent from heirs or executors before listing items for sale and use discretion in your listings. Privacy for the deceased should take top priority.

  • Give family members the opportunity to retain items of personal or emotional value. Artifacts are often tied to real people and painful histories and handling them requires empathy and professionalism. Be transparent about sale timing and when you’ll need them to make these decisions by, so they’re not advertised for sale – then pulled!

  • For historically significant items, provide the option to families to donate them to museums, veterans' organizations, or archives where they can be preserved for future generations.

  • Consult with experts if you’re unsure about an item’s significance, value, or legality. Reach out to historians, curators, or appraisers with militaria experience to help ensure accurate pricing and respectful handling. And improve your knowledge by doing the research!

Evaluating and Selling Military Memorabilia

When it comes to evaluating and selling military memorabilia, a careful and thorough approach is essential. We recommend collaborating with certified appraisers or reputable military antiques dealers to evaluate items. Factors influencing value include:

  • Rarity: Unique or limited-edition items may command higher prices.

  • Condition: Well-preserved items generally have a higher market value.

  • Provenance: A direct connection to a known veteran or significant historical event can enhance value.

  • Historical Period: Items from major conflicts like WWII, Korea, or Vietnam often have a higher demand.

Keep Detailed Records

Always maintain thorough documentation for legal protection and transparency when handling military memorabilia, or any estate assets. Documentation not only helps verify authenticity and ownership but also builds trust with family, buyers, and institutions. Keeping clear records can safeguard against disputes and ensure compliance.

This includes:

  • Descriptions and high-quality photos of items

  • Notating the location of items in the property, or if moved

  • Provenance information (if available)

  • Documentation of sale transactions and buyer details

Red Flags and Risk Mitigation

Estate liquidators should be vigilant about potential risks that can lead to legal trouble ethical missteps. From misrepresented artifacts to restricted items, diligence is key to protecting your business when handling military memorabilia:

  • Stolen Valor: Watch for items that falsely claim to have been earned by a certain service member, or replicas being passed off as authentic.

  • Fraudulent Provenance: Always verify documents and stories that accompany items, especially when they claim high-profile histories, e.g. items linked to significant battles or famous individuals.

  • Export Restrictions: Some military items may be subject to export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Make sure to consult the proper authorities before shipping internationally.

In cases of doubt, consider seeking the advice of legal counsel or certified experts in military memorabilia.

Military medals and memorabilia are more than valuable artifacts; they represent the bravery, sacrifice, and personal stories of those who served. By understanding the legal landscape, adhering to ethical guidelines, and applying best practices in evaluation and sale, you can ensure that these artifacts are treated with the respect they deserve.

Sources:

  • U.S. Code Title 18, Section 704 - "Sale of Military Decorations"
  • DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents
  • International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) - U.S. Department of State
  • Haskew, Michael. Warman’s World War II Collectibles. Iola, WI. Krause Publications, 2010.