where do I find out the value of some commemorative medals?

Question

1981 presidential inaugural medal,1985 presidentialeyewitness commemorative medal, columbia space shuttle eyewitness medal,all from franklin mint

Answer 1

Hi. I am a coin dealer in the Midwest. Franklin Mint stuff generally only has any significant value if it is made of some precious metal (silver/gold/platinum). The bronze items are almost impossible to sell, except to a Franklin Mint buff who doesn't already have the piece. The exact value will vary depending on the size of the piece and what metal it is composed of. Normal silver-dollar sized medals in bronze are worth less than $5; silver pieces of that size are probably worth $10-$12. There are some tiny gold and platinum pieces also; their value will vary depending on size/weight. Hope this info helped a little.

Answer 2

The Franklin mint over the years kept pounding out all kinds of medal and tokens. Most of these items never did well on the secondary market, never became worth what was paid for them. Unlike coins, medals do not have a price guide, most books on them are for reference only and have no prices at all.I have seen a medal start off in a price list at say $75.00 and a few months later in an update of that list be $25.00. Dealers try to get what they can. At least the presidential medals are of Reagan, he was well liked. if the medals are in nice shape and you can find a buyer you should get $20-$50 for them, you did not mention what they are made of. The space one may be harder to sell unless it is silver then it is worth at least $10 or a little more. Medals are not an easy sell, even though a lot of them have mintage's well below a lot of rare coins. I like the odd ball and found a silver medal at a flea market for $5.00. It has more than that price in silver in it. It is an education medal from 1893, given to an outstanding student. It took me months and a lot of work to get any info on it. At least you have something that I think there is a book on. I think some one did a Franklin mint catalog. Try your library or check out on line. Seems I read some place about the catalog. Hope this helps a little.