What are Second World War medals worth?

Updated: August 2026

A Kriegsverdienstmedaille (War Merit Medal) is worth around 17 to 20 euros as a guide price, an Anschlussmedaille of 13 March 1938 (Austria) on its ribbon around 50 euros, and in its complete award case 120 to 160 euros. The medal commemorating 1 October 1938 (Sudetenland Medal) sits at around 40 euros on its ribbon, and 70 to 110 euros in its case. This puts these war and commemorative medals among the more affordable decorations from the Nazi era — well below the value of combat decorations such as the Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross), but still sought after as a complete ensemble with case, ribbon and certificate.

Guide prices by version and condition

All figures are guide prices based on real sale and asking prices from German specialist dealers (as of August 2026). The actual price depends on the individual piece and, above all, on the accompanying items — send us photos and we will give you a specific figure.

Unlike the Kriegsverdienstkreuz (War Merit Cross), the Kriegsverdienstmedaille exists only in one version, without swords — the "with/without swords" distinction applies solely to the cross, not the medal. For a Kriegsverdienstmedaille with swords — a very rare variant in the trade — or for other special versions, we will give you a value after viewing photos; in that case a guide price follows on an individual basis.

What pushes the value up the most: the original award case in good condition, an uncut ribbon with the correct pattern, and, for the Anschluss and Sudetenland medals, the accompanying award certificate as well. A Nachlass (estate) with several of these medals together with crosses or uniform pieces is usually worth more as a complete package than the sum of the individual sales.

Original or fake?

These three medals were awarded in very large numbers and are correspondingly common in the trade — fakes are rarely worth producing for this price bracket, but checking is still worthwhile. Five features we look for:

1. Simple soldered-on loop, no decoration. On all three medals, the ribbon suspension consists of a plain loop soldered directly on, with no ornamentation — typical of mass-struck pieces of this kind. An elaborately worked or screwed-on suspension does not match the original. Source: ehrenzeichen-orden.de + ehrenzeichen-orden.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
2. No maker's mark. All the genuine listings we have checked are consistently described as "no maker mark". A conspicuous, prominently placed maker's punch mark on these medals is atypical and a warning sign.
3. Material, diameter and weight match. The Kriegsverdienstmedaille and the Sudetenland Medal are made of bronzed non-ferrous metal, have a diameter of 32 mm and weigh around 13.4 to 13.5 grams. The Anschlussmedaille is silver-plated and differs from this in size and weight — for this one we check the material and workmanship individually from your photos. Significant deviations in weight or diameter argue against an original. Source: ehrenzeichen-orden.de + ehrenzeichen-orden.de, retrieved 2026-08-28
4. Check the reverse inscription exactly. The Kriegsverdienstmedaille bears "Für Kriegsverdienst 1939" in four lines of Gothic script above the motif of the Kriegsverdienstkreuz without swords. The 1938 medal bears "Ein Volk – ein Reich – ein Führer" with the year in three lines. A different typeface, line arrangement or layout is suspicious.
5. Ribbon width and colours match the medal. The Kriegsverdienstmedaille is worn on a 30 mm wide ribbon, red-white at the edges with a black central stripe; the 1938 medal on a 29 mm wide white ribbon with three 9 mm wide black-red-black stripes. A ribbon with the wrong width or colour sequence does not belong to the medal.

If in doubt, we will assess the piece from your photos — this costs nothing and puts you under no obligation.

Brief historical background

The Kriegsverdienstmedaille was instituted on 19 August 1940 and awarded between 1940 and 1945 to members of the Wehrmacht (the German armed forces) and Waffen-SS, as well as to civilians who had rendered service to the war effort without themselves being in combat — including women working in the armaments industry. It was issued more than four million times, making it one of the most common decorations of the Nazi era.

The Anschlussmedaille of 13 March 1938 was instituted retroactively to the date of the "Anschluss" of Austria and awarded to those involved between 1 May 1938 and 31 December 1940. A total of 318,689 medals were issued — considerably fewer than the Kriegsverdienstmedaille, which explains its somewhat higher market value.

The medal commemorating 1 October 1938 was instituted after the Munich Agreement and commemorated the annexation of the Sudetenland; from May 1939 it was extended to the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. With 1,162,617 medals and a further 134,563 "Prager Burg" (Prague Castle) clasps awarded for later merit, it is the third most frequently awarded of the three medals covered here.

On the legal position: buying and selling original medals from this period is legal in Germany. What is regulated is the public display of the symbols of unconstitutional organisations (§ 86a StGB, the German Criminal Code) — which is why we handle photos containing such symbolism discreetly and document the pieces solely within the private context of the valuation.

Selling without risk

We are a Spanish collectors' house buying throughout Germany. We buy for our own collection — with no dealer mark-up. In concrete terms, this means we don't have to factor in a resale margin and can pay you a collector's price, even for individual medals from a larger Nachlass.

Here's how it works:

1. Send photos via WhatsApp to +34 665 164 779 — the front and back of the medal, the ribbon, plus the case or certificate if you have them. Two minutes, no obligation.
2. Free valuation within 24 hours. We tell you which medal it is, whether it's original, and what we'll pay for it.
3. Payment in cash, at the agreed price. We view larger collections and estates in person — anywhere in Germany.

You don't need to send anything before the price is agreed, and you don't have to sell if you don't like the offer.

Frequently asked questions

What are Second World War medals worth?

It depends heavily on the medal: plain Kriegsverdienstmedaillen sit at 17 to 20 euros, while the Anschluss and Sudetenland medals range between 40 and 160 euros depending on accompanying items. Combat decorations such as the Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross) are well above that. Send us photos for a specific figure.

Where can I sell old medals?

To a collectors' house like Antique Militaria — we buy directly from private individuals throughout Germany, with no middleman. You send photos via WhatsApp, receive an assessment within 24 hours, and are paid immediately once we agree on a price.

Is the Kriegsverdienstmedaille rare?

No. With over four million examples awarded, it is one of the most common decorations of the Nazi era, which explains its low value of 17 to 20 euros. The Anschluss and Sudetenland medals were awarded in considerably smaller numbers and correspondingly achieve higher prices.

Does the award case increase the value?

Significantly. For the Anschlussmedaille and the Sudetenland Medal, a complete, well-preserved case doubles to triples the value compared with the medal alone on its ribbon. An accompanying award certificate increases the value further.

What is the difference between the Kriegsverdienstmedaille and the Kriegsverdienstkreuz?

They are two different decorations: the medal was the lower grade for merit without direct combat service, while the Kriegsverdienstkreuz was the higher-grade decoration, which additionally existed in a version with swords for merit near the front line. You can find details on the cross in our separate valuation.

Is selling these medals legal?

Yes. Private ownership and sale of original decorations from this period is permitted in Germany. Only the public display of certain symbolism is restricted (§ 86a StGB) — this plays no part for you in a discreet sale to a collectors' house.

Sell Second World War medals

More guide values: Eastern Front Medal