Military Cross

SKU: 02.GBR.0111.101.01

Estimated market value:

$ Click to See Price/Value

  • Silver Cross (1914-1937) Obverse
  • Silver Cross (1914-1937) Obverse
  • Silver Cross (1914-1937) Reverse
  • Silver Cross (1914-1937) in Case of Issue

Attributes

  • country
    Great Britain
  • date of institution
    December 28, 1914
  • makers
    Royal Mint, London
  • remarks
    The prices presented here represent unnamed, single crosses, but the value is expected to be considerably higher for a cross in an attributable group.

History


The Military Cross was established by Royal Warrant on December 28, 1914. It was created to fill the need for a gallantry decoration that could be awarded to Junior Officers of the Army, much like the Distinguished Service Cross had been created for Junior Officers of the Royal Navy in 1901. It was originally awarded to soldiers of the Commonwealth, although many of these nations have since established their own awards for gallantry.

It was first awarded to Warrant Officers and Commissioned Officers equivalent to or below the rank of Captain in the British Army in recognition of acts of gallantry. It was amended for the first time in 1915 when it was fully extended to Commissioned Officers of foreign armies for acts of gallantry performed alongside British forces. In 1917, it was affirmed that the recognized action must occur in combat. In 1931, the award was extended to Officers equivalent to the rank of Major, and to Officers of the Royal Air Force for acts of gallantry performed on land. Since 1993, it has been open to all ranks of the British Armed Forces in recognition of acts of gallantry performed on land.

The Cross may be awarded multiple times to the same recipient, in which case a silver bar clasp is worn on the ribbon to denote each additional award.

There are multiple versions of the Cross that differ according to the royal cypher of the Sovereign on the obverse.

FOR SALE / WANTED

Item For Sale By

Be the first to sell this item

Wanted By

Be the first to request this item

Versions

  • Price

    $700+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GRI

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in attributable group.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1000+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GRI

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1500+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GRI

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1000+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GRI Rev: [YEAR OF ISSUE]

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group . The year of issue has been inscribed on the reverse of the cross and the bar since 1938.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $1200+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GRI Rev: [YEAR OF ISSUE]

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group

  • View Item
  • Price

    $2000+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: GVIR Rev: [YEAR OF ISSUE]

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group . A total of 158 crosses of this version were awarded.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $2500+ USD

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Inscription

    Obv: EIIR Rev: [YEAR OF ISSUE, RECIPIENT DETAILS]

  • Size

    44x46mm

  • Maker

    Royal Mint, London; Royal Mint, Llantrisant

  • Version Remarks

    Cross is more valuable in an attributable group . Recipient details have been inscribed on the reverse since 1984.

  • View Item

Case Of Issue

  • Price

    $125 USD

  • Size

    72mm x 126mm x 24mm

  • Remarks

Miniatures

  • Price

    $30-60 USD

  • Size

    20-21mm

  • Composition

    Silver

  • Remarks

Comments

Sign in to comment and reply.

Scroll Top