The great number of QSAs on the market and the century since they were first issues means that the modern medal collector can face an array of problems with QSAs. Some of these are described below.
When dealers describe a QSA in a catalogue, they will use standard and short-hand terms to refer to the condition of a medal.
There are a standard set of definitions for the condition of a medal. While the definitions are well established, the interpretation of them continues to be subjective to a small degree. The classifications, in order of quality from highest to lowest, are:
Mint or FDC: In perfect state. FDC is an abbreviation for the French Fleur de coin
EF: Extremely fine
VF: Very fine
F: Fair
The prefix 'N' is often seen but only with EF and VF. This means 'near'. NEF would be the classification just below EF quality. 'G' is another prefix used with EF and VF. It means 'generally'. The word 'good' (or its abbreviation 'gd') can also be seen before EF and VF. This is the opposite of 'near'. The spectrum of quality of an EF medal is therefore:
Good EF
EF
NEF
This is where is becomes very subjective.
Once the condition of the medal has been described, any other flaws will also be noted. These could include:
With the medal:
Renamed
Officially renamed
Naming corrected
Later naming
Replacement medal
Ghost dates
Bruises
Edge knocks (and its abbreviation E/K)
Pawnbroker's marks
Wear and tear from other medals
Suspender may be repaired
Suspender may not swivel
With the clasps:
Clasps loose on ribbon
Unofficial clasps
Clasps in the wrong order
Unofficial rivets
Sprung clasps
Copy clasps
Examples of these problems are shown below:
This is an example of a QSA that has been named after 1905. The style is different to that usually seen and displays the fact that medal naming techniques and styles progressed after the Boer War
This is an example of a QSA that has been named after 1905. The style is different to that usually seen and displays the fact that medal naming techniques and styles progressed after the Boer War
A QSA renamed to the Tous River Town Guard
An alternative to the metal strip is a pair of callipers. The rim of a medal should be the same size all around
A QSA with a mixture of original and copy clasps
Collectors can benefit from using a metal strip that has different size circles. The
medal fits within the circle making it easier to see if the rim has been tampered with.
This strip fits medals of 5 different diameters. Note that some medals, such
as the Khedive Sudan will not fit in the largest aperture
Sprung clasp. This happens when the front face of the clasp becomes detached from the rest of the clasp. The front face can usually be soldered back down again
A partially erased QSA. The recipients number is just discernable so it would be possible to determine to whom it was awarded
A replaced connecting rod. Observe how the end of the rod has been poorly finished
Edge knocks. These represent physical damage to the rim of the QSA, typically from it having been dropped or impacted in some way. Small knocks may be called bruises
A renamed QSA to the Cape Police. Note the different style of naming and the fact that the naming is not centred around the bottom of the the rim.
A correctly named QSA to the Cape Police
Rivets #2
The correct rivets for a QSA. Note how the rod joining the clasps is neatly finished off
The QSA clasps are designed so that the upper clasp's lugs fit inside the lugs of the lower clasp
Clasps loose on the ribbon. Also note the bar that attaches the clasps to the suspender is poorly finished off at both ends. This medal also shows the problem of an impossible clasp combination CC and DoK
A renamed QSA. If a medal is renamed, the rim containing the old name is filed down to remove the old name. The new name is then pressed into the medal. renamed medals therefore have a thinner rim and sometimes show some of the letters from the old naming eg full stops which were deeply struck the first time
The same renamed QSA. This QSA has been totally renamed. The old number, rank, name and unit has been erased and the new name substituted. This was often done for some units such as nurses and the Mafeking Cadet Corps. These QSA would be identified as being officially renamed as the renaming was carried out by the Authorities
A renamed QSA to the Cape Police. Note the different style of naming and the fact that the naming is not centred around the bottom of the the rim
In this picture, the QSA that has been officially renamed has been placed beneath a 'normal' QSA. This allows for an easier comparison of the rims of the two medals
This QSA has been officially renamed. This means the name of the QSA's previous recipient has been removed and the new recipient's name impressed over the top. The style is identical to many QSAs
