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What an excellent thread. Thank you TheBreaker for starting this off and a belated welcome to the Forum too!

For anyone with a spare 50,000 CHF (£45,000 GBP) in their pocket, the "Farouk" striking of the gold British Empire Medal is coming up at SINCONA Auction 96, on 26 May 2025.

Compared with the 1901 striking, the three Farouk medals (gold, silver & bronze) are 2 mm larger in diameter and 2 mm thicker at the rim. I will be writing a piece highlighting other differences in due course.



Video of the medal: Gold British Empire Medal - MP4


Auctioneer's description.

Edward VII. 1901-1910. Gold Medal 1901, 790.50 g. British Empire Medal, South African War. By F. Bowcher, published by Messr Spink & Son Ltd. Bust, crowned and draped; EDWARD . VII . DG REX . ET . I: in the centre; around, supporting figures of JVSTITIA and INDVSTRIA, figure of Peace dividing OPPRESSORVM and CONSERVATOR above view of town; below British shield with ribbons inscribed TRANSVAAL and ORANGE RIVER COLONIES. Rv. Equestrian figure of Lord Roberts upon rocky ledge, lauded by Victory and Fame hovering above; beyond column of troops advancing; VIRTVTE ET DVCTV. in the field. SOVTH AFRICA. In exergue: PAX . QVÆRITVR . BELLO 1901. Plain edge, with punch: No3. 103.2 mm. Eimer 1859. BHM 3735. Von grösster Seltenheit. Nur 3 Exemplare geprägt / Of the highest rarity. Only 3 specimens struck. FDC / Mint State.

From the auction Spink 8012, London, June 2008, lot 215.
From the auction Christie's, October 1991, lot 370.
From the Palace Collections of Egypt, auction Sotheby & Co, Cairo, March 1954, lot 2652.

SINCONA Auction 96 - Lot 463

..

The gold "Farouk" medal sold for a staggering 180,000 CHF (£162,700 GBP). Total: 223,200 CHF (£201,600 GBP).

On its last outing at Spink, in 2008, it fetched £17,000 GBP. Not a bad investment ....