air crew europe star

[dustyrustee]

The air crew europe star (british award) that I have seen up for sale command quite a lot of money.

was wondering why the medal is so valuable ? and perhaps some history about its issue, scarcity, etc. ?

thanks, Ian

[ian]

there are fakes of this medal believe it or not so beware
the fake has a mark bottom right of the circle in the middle just over the U in europe i dont have a pic sorry
but im sure some one will have
allso the wording is miss placed
the V ,,,in VI should be above the left arm of the W in crew not ove the middle of the W
there are other ways to tell but i dont remember them
cheers ian

[4md]

hello Ian there is a lift out section in the latest armourer magazine on campaign medals i was reading it only just this morning.
there were only 8 stars awarded during ww2 for specific theatres and there was only one that was specific to a particular service- the air crew europe star
which was awarded for aerial service over enemy territory in europe prior to june 1944.
i guess the higher prices that this star commands is probably due to the fact that a lot less were awarded
cant say iv ever seen one
regards paul

[dustyrustee]

thanks Paul.

I agree that the pricing is because of quantity awarded. would be interesting to find out just what that number was. so far that has eluded me.

cheers, Ian

[Walkwolf]

Thirty years ago, I got one for $50 and sold it five years later
for $100. Now they are over $300 !

As said, scarce for the few awards made............

[Adrian Stevenson]

Some info here on the award conditions:

The Official 1945 Statement regarding the British WW2 Campaign Stars and Defence Medal

Cheers, Ade.

[Gary J]

And just to add to Ade's note, ... a few close ups to spot the fakes ..

The Air Crew Europe Star, Copy? Fake? Original?

Gary J.

[ddscott2004]

What do you think of this one? Appears to pass the tests to me...

[airwarrior]

looks good on the crown down the centre running vertical from the big bead should be 4 and a half pips

[airwarrior]

Many fakes have 5 pips now restrike is a different subject and they are certainly out there not the same as the early issue aircrew europes
The word restike is a grey area on the aircrew europe as copies are sold as later re strikes issued in the 70's although im not going to get to deep into it because you could write many pages on it.I have a pathfinders Aircrew medal group that he received in the 70's its not the same as a genuine early issue but its still not a copy in my eyes as that is what he was issued thats only my opinion.