The Markers Medal

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Adrian
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The Markers Medal

Post by Adrian »

I own one of these, and see them on eBay and auction sites quite regularly. The one I own is like most of those I see, in pretty good condition with a name and date engraved on the side. They usually sell for less than £100, but occasionally more.

I have just been browsing in a local antique centre and happened to notice one of these priced at £125. I suspect that is asking a bit too much, but it is slightly unusual in that it has no name and date but has a hole punched in the top.

I know that some medals had rings, to be worn at school, so is it possible that for a time they just punched holes in the top?

My understanding is that these were presented to Markers, with their name and date engraved around the edge, if they behaved well. Is it possible that this might have been nicked by a less well behaved Marker? Is it rarer, so worth the asking price?

Whilst I think it adds nothing in particular to my every increasing collection of CH memorabilia, the fact that there is one for sale in Sheffield, and possibly the only old blue in town has stumbled upon it, is tempting me.
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michael scuffil
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Re: The Markers Medal

Post by michael scuffil »

The whole punched in the top suggests someone wore it as a pendant. This usually seriously reduces the value (or rather, the price) of any coin or medallion. I can't explain the absence of a name or date, except to suggest that it was lost or stolen before it was presented. As numismatic, unlike philatelic, curiosities are not highly valued in specialist circles, from a financial point of view I would leave well alone. As you say, ca. £100 is the going rate. They are nice things.
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Katharine
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Re: The Markers Medal

Post by Katharine »

What was a Marker? I don't recognise the word in a CH context.
Katharine Dobson (Hills) 6.14, 1959 - 1965
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Adrian
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Re: The Markers Medal

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Katharine wrote:What was a Marker? I don't recognise the word in a CH context.
They weren't around in our time Katharine. Here' some info from the museum:

http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/zero ... es-tokens/
Marker’s medals were worn by boys and girls appointed by the Steward as a Marker to hear other pupils’ catechisms on Sundays. These medals were handed down when pupils left, and a newly struck medal, engraved with the name of the pupil, was presented to the Marker on leaving, provided it was merited by good behaviour.
There is more information in the booklet produced by Mike Barford.
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Adrian
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Re: The Markers Medal

Post by Adrian »

To add to the above, there seems to be two types of Markers Medals. The older one has a permanent hanger, the later one (designed by Pingo) does not.

The earlier one was engraved with the Marker's name, which he/she could take. The later one was presented to the boy/girl, new in a box, with their name/date engraved, when they left.

The earlier one is always in a worn condition but is much rarer so quite expensive, mine cost £300. The Pingo version is often in mint condition but quite common so cheaper, mine cost £100 but I have seen them sell for as little as £25.

The school must have fabricated a method to wear the Pingo medals, which would have been passed from Marker to Marker. The booklet shows a picture of a very worn looking medal with a rather cheap looking hanger welded to it. I have never seen any Pingo medals with a hanger for sale. There should be none of these for sale since the pupil was presented with their own medal.

What I am wondering is this ... did the school fabricate some hanging medals by simply punching holes in them? If that's the case then I've found one, and due to its rarity is probably worth at least the price being asked. Alternatively, did the school release a number of blank medals when they became surplus, and somebody else punch the hole in, making it worth much less?
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Katharine
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Re: The Markers Medal

Post by Katharine »

Thanks Adrian, interesting that they were given to both boys and girls.

I have vague memories of a Lamb Essay Competition which went across both schools, but that was one of the very few links. I never entered the competition and can't remember a girl ever winning it! Speech Day visits and St Matthew's Day were the only times some of one school met some of the other. Things are very different now!
Katharine Dobson (Hills) 6.14, 1959 - 1965
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