Usually, it is coins, rather than medals, that are engraved with this Latin inscription; these coins are British coins minted between 1937 and 1947... However, determining the value of such a coin is impossible, as there are many types of coins (British and Commonwealth) with varying degrees of rarity. In general, British War Medals (which are quite rare) stamped with this phrase, which means, "George VI, By the Grace of God, King of All Britain, Defender of The Faith, and Emperor of India, will have an approximate value of anywhere from 50 to 200,000 dollars. Only a highly-trained antiques appraiser, such as the appraisers found on the popular television show, Antiques Roadshow, can examine the provenance of a British War Medal and determine it potential value at auction.
Whether a medal stamped with this inscription is worth a little or a lot will depend on its rarity, and on the story that goes along with it. For example, a medal belonging to an important military personage, such as a general, will fetch more than a medal given to someone lower in the ranks. The material the medal is made from will also factor into its appraised value. Common metals used to produce British War Medals during this period include (in order of greatest value):
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
Until 1947, the British King remained ensconced as the Emperor of India; after 1947 (when India gained its independence), coins and medals were no longer printed with the words, "Ind: Imp. If those Latin words do appear on a medal, it is a guarantee that the coin in pre-1947. People trading in British War medals should always be aware that there are many clever counterfeits available in the marketplace; only a skilled appraiser can tell the real from the fake.
Whether a medal stamped with this inscription is worth a little or a lot will depend on its rarity, and on the story that goes along with it. For example, a medal belonging to an important military personage, such as a general, will fetch more than a medal given to someone lower in the ranks. The material the medal is made from will also factor into its appraised value. Common metals used to produce British War Medals during this period include (in order of greatest value):
• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
Until 1947, the British King remained ensconced as the Emperor of India; after 1947 (when India gained its independence), coins and medals were no longer printed with the words, "Ind: Imp. If those Latin words do appear on a medal, it is a guarantee that the coin in pre-1947. People trading in British War medals should always be aware that there are many clever counterfeits available in the marketplace; only a skilled appraiser can tell the real from the fake.
