Two British military artifact collectors have uncovered America’s most sought-after gallantry medal, and it will be offered for sale soon. Regarded as America’s Victoria cross, this particular Congressional Medal Of Honor was given to a serving soldier from the American Civil War who carried Abraham Lincoln‘s coffin.
The medal is inscribed on the rear with the date April 1865. It was only recently acquired by father and son duo David and Stephen Nuwar, who run the War & Son business from the county of Hereford, in central England.
Within the medal collectors’ world, the Medal of Honor is a unique find. There are restrictions in the United States that forbid selling or trading it there, but, as this one was acquired in the United Kingdom from an American citizen, it doesn’t carry that restriction. However, the sale a few years ago of another Medal of Honor in Germany by a large auction drew criticism from the Trump administration and Sen. Ted Cruz!
Stephen said, “We are thinking very carefully about how to market and sell this. We feel that even [Donald] Trump may be interested or certainly his team beneath him. The German sale in 2020 did cause a furore and we want to avoid that.”
David added, “Subsequently, the medal was rescinded, as it was only given for gallantry. Yet, historically, it’s still very important to US history. Historically and beyond the politics, it’s internationally important.”
Stephen continued, “There is a positive thing to be done here with this. It should be done in this way, and we will do it. We would look at making donation to any museum or organization that did purchased it. Certainly, we would like to see it sold to a high-end museum and would not want to see it sold and locked away in a collector’s personal collection.”
As well as this tiny medal, the pair’s museum-class collection of military objects is varied and certainly numerous. Items from swords and daggers to de-activated weapons are on show, and they have items from the periods of many wars and battle eras, such as Trafalgar, the American Civil War, the Zulu Wars, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Unlike any other museum, these items are all for sale. Uniforms, clothing and cutlasses from the period of Waterloo are just some of items available. They have a busy online business, which is supported by Stephen’s partner, Marie Westcott, and Alan McEwen.
On top of this, those who visit in-person their High Street shop in the market town of Leominster will discover and see hundreds of items, from rare medals and, at one time, a Willy’s Jeep. Their small rural town center footprint belies the scale and size of the collection held within the several floors and cellar of this building.
David and Stephen like to be thought of more as collectors, rather than dealers. They buy and sell, but don’t follow the auction sales route. Every item in their business is for sale. When they offer to purchase an item, it means they feel the client gets better value, as there’s no commission to be charged.
More from us: Was Henry Breault Late to His Own Medal of Honor Ceremony?
US presidents over the years, in the name of the US Congress, have awarded over 3,500 Medals of Honors to the nation’s bravest soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. The decoration’s establishment dates back to 1861.