Silver Content in WW2 medals

My father in law never received his medals after WW2 so in the 1990's he applied for and got them. There is no tarnish so i'm wondering if they have any silver at all.

Did the original medals, Volunteer, Defense, War Medals have a silver content? Originals that I have have that have that tarnish patina. Would they be Solid sterling silver or Silver plate?

Google it, the answer is on line.

Sometimes on forums, when I don't have anything useful to say about the subject, I don't say anything at all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Volunteer_Service_Medal

If the moderators are wondering why there is a lack of members posting and why members are leaving, perhaps you should read the above response from Ed. What's the point of having a forum when responses are negative, condensing, rude and inappropriate. Moderators time to grow a pair and ban ignorant people.

edstorey wrote:Google it, the answer is on line.

I know Ed has been banned and will not see this post, but Google is NOT the end all and be all of answers.

In regards to the WWII issue of the CVSM, it is .925 Silver. The Canadian variant of the Defense Medal and 1939-45 War Medal, they too are both struck in silver.

However, that is NOT the question here. The question is " are the WWII medals issued in the 1990's, still silver?" Honestly, I do not know. I am a medals collector and assume they are. I know exactly what the OP is asking as I have noted the same thing in regards to my uncles medals reissued in the 1990s.

I have a display at my fathers house honouring 2 of my uncles service in the Second World War. Two sets of medals are in the same frame. One consisting of the 39-45 Star, Italy Star, CVSM, War Medal and Defense Medal. The other the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, CVSM and War Medal. Not all the silver medals have tarnished you would think they would all be pretty even, but this is not the case.

What I suspect is, Yes they are silver, but possibly a slightly different content from the first run medals back in the late 40's.

Google does not have this answer, least not that I have found yet. Still looking but honestly not really hard at the moment. Its about 1/2 way down my 3 page to do list in regards to my medals collection.

I may be wrong but was under the impression that when all the "silver" medal supply ran out the newer replacements were made from cupro-nickle. Cheers Brian

barriefield-brian wrote:I may be wrong but was under the impression that when all the "silver" medal supply ran out the newer replacements were made from cupro-nickle.  Cheers Brian

See Brian, this is something I don't know for sure. I do know there are 3 strikings of the CVSM at least, but I do not know about the War and Defense Medals.

QUESTION... which medals are a concern to the OP is it all three Silver medals or just a couple, or one. If so Identify which ones. I cannot recall which ones in the display at my fathers is suffering from the non tarnish issue.

Answer.... I just spoke to my father and he looked at the display. The only silver medal that is tarnished in the display is the Defense Medal. There is only one Defense medal represented, where as both the CVSMs and War Medals, there are 2 examples. These show no signs of tarnish or discoloration. Time to look deeper.

I bought a set likely in the late 80's or early 90's to replace my grandfathers and none of the three tarnished so am assuming they are all cupro-nickle although the bar did tarnish so must have been original issue. Originals are definately silver. I just sold those a couple of weeks ago as I have some originals to make a set (just missing the France-Germany star). I was clear to the fellow that they were replacements so not silver but he was happy as he was looking for a representative set also. Cheers Brian

I helped my grandfather receive his initial issue of the 1939-45 War Medal in the mid 90's as he didn't realize that he was entitled to it. I promptly mounted it in a frame and today it shows signs of tarnishing. I do recall that it had some type of a waxy coating when it arrived which left the medal looking a bit dull so I carefully removed the coating so that it would shine in all of its glory. Perhaps I should have left that protective coating in place but I can now say without a doubt that it has silver content.

When the big silver melt was on a couple of years ago, one of the local "experts" told me that the Defence Medal was .8 and the Cdn issue 39-45 WM was .925. Stand to be corrected on this.

Bill wrote:When the big silver melt was on a couple of years ago, one of the local "experts" told me that the Defence Medal was .8 and the Cdn issue 39-45 WM was .925. Stand to be corrected on this.

Bill I think you are correct. But cannot find the silver content documented. I seem to recall hearing the same numbers.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/medals-decorations/details/20

The above link from VA gives the .80 for the Defence medal.

Of course, any decent jeweler or precious metals buyer can determine the silver content with a tester, but it does leave a mark.

Brian thanks for the tip. "cupro-nickle"

From what I have since read up on I understand it is very likely that my father inlaws' recent issue contain no silver but are cupro-nickle. eg. tarnish free.

George