How to Store Military Medals and Orders

Last Updated: September 2026 · The Old Antiquarian

Military medals, orders and decorations are more complex than simple pieces of metal. Many combine silver, bronze, gilt surfaces, enamel, silk ribbons, clasps, suspension systems, miniature devices and fitted presentation cases.

Their historical importance can also extend far beyond the decoration itself. An original ribbon, recipient’s name, award certificate, photograph, service record or presentation case may help explain who received the award, when it was issued and how the group was preserved.

Good storage therefore means protecting both the physical medal and the evidence connected with it. This guide explains how to store military medals and orders while preserving their surfaces, ribbons, enamel, original mounting, documentation and provenance.

Military Medal Storage at a Glance

Why Military Medals Need Special Care

A military decoration may combine several materials with very different vulnerabilities.

These can include:

• silver;
• silvered metal;
• bronze;
• copper alloys;
• gilt metal;
• enamel;
• painted details;
• silk or synthetic ribbons;
• pins and clasps;
• paper labels;
• velvet, leather or textile-lined cases.

The metal may remain physically sound while an original ribbon is fading, an enamelled section is chipped or a presentation case is deteriorating.

For this reason, storage should protect the most vulnerable component rather than treating every medal as a simple metal object.

1. Keep Military Medals Dry and Stable

Persistent moisture encourages corrosion and can also damage ribbons, paper labels and presentation cases.

Avoid long-term storage in:

• damp basements;
• garages;
• hot attics;
• rooms with condensation;
• areas close to leaking pipes;
• locations exposed to repeated large temperature changes.

For a private collection, a clean and reasonably stable interior room is usually preferable to a location that becomes very damp, very hot or changes dramatically through the seasons.

2. Protect Original Medal Ribbons from Light

Ribbons are often more vulnerable to light than the metal decoration itself.

Long-term exposure can contribute to:

• fading;
• colour change;
• weakening of fibres;
• brittleness;
• uneven fading where part of the ribbon is covered.

Store important ribboned medals away from direct sunlight and unnecessary prolonged illumination.

3. Store Medals Individually

Loose medals should not be allowed to move freely against one another.

Direct contact can cause:

• scratches;
• wear to plating or gilding;
• chipped enamel;
• bent suspension rings;
• damaged ribbons;
• abrasion to high points of the design.

Individual compartments, suitable envelopes, trays or protective holders can keep objects separated while allowing the collection to remain organised.

Heavy decorations should also be supported so that their full weight does not remain suspended from a fragile original ribbon.

4. Be Careful with Plastic Medal Holders

Not every clear plastic sleeve or coin holder is suitable for long-term medal storage.

Some soft plastics can deteriorate over time and may release compounds that are undesirable around metals and historic surfaces.

For important collections, choose products made from materials intended for long-term archival or conservation use and avoid unidentified soft plastic sleeves.

Do not assume that a product is suitable simply because it is sold as a “collector’s holder”.

5. Handle Medals as Little as Necessary

Handling can transfer oils, salts and dirt to metal surfaces.

When examining a medal:

• work over a clean surface;
• support the object securely;
• avoid touching enamel unnecessarily;
• do not pull on the ribbon;
• avoid bending old pins or clasps;
• do not repeatedly operate fragile fittings.

Never lift a heavy decoration solely by its ribbon.

6. Protect Enamelled Orders from Impact

Many orders and higher-grade decorations contain enamel.

Although enamel appears hard, it can be brittle.

Damage may include:

• small edge chips;
• hairline cracks;
• loss around raised details;
• damage near suspension fittings;
• larger losses caused by impact.

Store enamelled decorations so that their faces cannot strike other medals, box fittings or hard surfaces.

7. Do Not Polish Military Medals Automatically

A dark or tarnished medal is not automatically damaged.

Depending on the decoration, its surface may include:

• natural patina;
• intentional patination;
• silvering;
• gilding;
• plating;
• lacquer;
• original darkened recesses.

Aggressive polishing can remove original material and may soften:

• inscriptions;
• maker’s marks;
• fine relief;
• surface texture;
• gilded or silvered finishes.

8. Preserve Original Medal Ribbons

A worn ribbon is not automatically a useless ribbon.

Original textile may help preserve evidence of:

• period of use;
• mounting style;
• wear;
• group arrangement;
• later historical alterations.

Replacing a ribbon purely for appearance can remove part of the object’s history.

If a modern replacement is ever used for display, preserve the earlier ribbon separately and document the change.

9. Preserve Original Presentation Cases

An original fitted case can contribute important information.

It may contain:

• maker’s name;
• retailer’s mark;
• issue details;
• period typography;
• recipient information;
• original fitted construction.

Do not discard a damaged case simply because it is no longer attractive.

The Original Case Is Not Always the Best Storage Container

Historic presentation cases can themselves deteriorate.

Possible problems include:

• degraded foam;
• acidic cardboard;
• deteriorating leather;
• loose velvet fibres;
• corroding metal fittings;
• mould;
• pressure on the medal or ribbon.

If direct contact appears harmful, the medal and case can be protected separately while their historical association is carefully maintained.

10. Be Careful with Wooden Medal Cabinets

Traditional wooden collectors’ cabinets can be attractive, but untreated wood and certain wood products may release compounds that are undesirable around sensitive metal surfaces.

This does not mean that every wooden cabinet must be discarded.

Instead:

• keep the cabinet dry and clean;
• avoid direct contact between valuable metal and raw wood;
• avoid strong chemical odours from fresh paint or adhesives;
• use suitable trays or inert barriers where appropriate.

11. Keep Medal Groups Together

A group awarded to one individual can preserve more information than the same decorations separated into unrelated trays.

Keep associations between:

• orders;
• medals;
• miniatures;
• ribbon bars;
• badges;
• award certificates;
• service papers;
• military photographs;
• presentation cases.

Do not reorganise a documented group purely to make it visually more symmetrical.

12. Preserve Award Documents and Provenance

The identity of the recipient can transform an unidentified decoration into a documented historical object.

Preserve associated:

• award certificates;
• citations;
• service records;
• photographs;
• letters;
• family notes;
• receipts;
• old collection labels;
• previous research.

Paper records may require separate storage for physical protection, but record clearly which medal or group they belong to.

13. Do Not Remount a Medal Group Before Documenting It

Old mounting can contain useful historical evidence.

Before changing anything, photograph:

• the complete front;
• the complete reverse;
• ribbon arrangement;
• mounting bars;
• stitching;
• pins and clasps;
• labels;
• inscriptions.

A modern remount may look neater while simultaneously removing evidence of how the group was previously worn or preserved.

14. Distinguish Tarnish from Active Corrosion

Not every aged surface needs treatment.

A stable dark surface may be very different from active deterioration.

Warning signs that deserve closer attention can include:

• new powdery deposits;
• fresh green corrosion on copper alloys;
• active orange rust on steel components;
• flaking metal;
• rapidly spreading spots;
• moisture associated with corrosion.

If active corrosion is suspected, separate the object from vulnerable neighbouring pieces and investigate the environment before attempting cosmetic cleaning.

15. How Should Military Medals Be Displayed?

A secure display cabinet can reduce handling, but the display itself still needs careful planning.

Good practice includes:

• avoiding direct sunlight;
• limiting unnecessary prolonged lighting;
• supporting heavy medals;
• protecting original ribbons from weight and strain;
• preventing enamelled surfaces from touching hard materials;
• using clean and stable display materials.

Do not hang a heavy order permanently from a fragile textile ribbon if the ribbon must carry the entire weight.

16. Document the Collection for Identification and Security

Military medals are small, portable and sometimes difficult to identify after they have been separated from their records.

For important pieces, record:

• clear front and reverse photographs;
• dimensions;
• visible inscriptions;
• maker’s marks;
• serial or award numbers where present;
• recipient information;
• provenance;
• storage location;
• associated documents.

Keep a backup copy of important collection records separately from the medals themselves.

What Should You Do with Inherited Military Medals?

Do not begin by polishing, replacing ribbons or separating decorations into individual groups.

First photograph the material exactly as inherited.

Preserve:

• medal groups;
• original boxes;
• ribbon bars;
• badges;
• documents;
• military photographs;
• letters;
• family notes;
• old labels.

If the medals form part of a wider inheritance, see

How to Sell Inherited Antiques and Collections

before separating related material.

Before Selling Military Medals and Orders

Avoid polishing, remounting, replacing original ribbons or discarding old cases before an initial review.

Collector interest can depend on:

• country;
• period;
• type of award;
• class or grade;
• maker;
• recipient;
• inscriptions;
• numbers;
• rarity;
• original ribbon;
• condition;
• presentation case;
• documentation;
• provenance.

For the types of historical military material considered by The Old Antiquarian, visit

Militaria & Historical Collectibles We Buy
.

How to Photograph Military Medals for an Initial Review

Good photographs should show both the medal and the evidence connected with it.

Photograph:

• complete front;
• complete reverse;
• ribbon;
• suspension;
• clasp;
• edge inscriptions;
• maker’s marks;
• numbers;
• enamel details;
• presentation case;
• associated paperwork;
• visible damage or restoration.

For a medal group, take one overview photograph showing all related pieces together before photographing individual decorations.

See

How to Photograph Antiques for an Initial Review

for the complete photography guide.

Can Poor Storage Affect the Value of Military Medals?

Poor storage can contribute to:

• faded ribbons;
• chipped enamel;
• corrosion;
• scratches;
• polishing damage;
• damaged suspension systems;
• crushed cases;
• lost documents;
• separated groups;
• loss of provenance.

Condition is important, but it is not the only factor.

Collector interest may also depend on rarity, recipient, historical significance, originality, completeness, maker, documentation and provenance.

Collector Checklist: Military Medals and Orders