Rating and value of military orders and knighthoods

If you own a military order or order of chivalry, and would like to know its value, and if you don't know, the period and model of the decoration, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, should you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.  

Rating and value of military orders and orders of chivalry  

Military orders and orders of chivalry are sought-after items for collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on the order, the state of preservation, the person to whom it belonged, and other criteria.

Now, prices for these objects can rise considerably at the auctioneers' gavel. Buyers from all over the world are interested in sales of certain rare pieces.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €30 to €150,000, at the moment, a substantial gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these decorations.

The Grand Aigle de la Légion d'Honneur dress plate belonging to Portalis, for example, sold for €36,000, whereas it was estimated at between €20,000 and €30,000. A look back at past auctions and more details on these objects. 

Order of value ranging from a simple order to the most prestigious

A look back at the history of French military orders and orders of chivalry  

The history of French honors is that of a progressive codification of merit, where the state, by organizing awards, shapes a hierarchy of honors.

Orders of chivalry, initially the prerogative of the nobility, follow the logic of a system where prestige and allegiance go hand in hand.

The Order of Saint-Michel, founded in 1469, then the Order of the Holy Spirit, instituted in 1578, illustrate this tradition where ritualized adoubement seals a sense of belonging. But the Revolution, in its rejection of Old Regime distinctions, abolished these orders as feudal relics.

It was Napoleon who, in 1802, re-established an order of reward suited to the meritocratic ideal he intended to establish: the Legion of Honor.

Where earlier orders were based on birth and royal favor, it is based on recognition of services rendered, civil or military.

Since then, the organization of distinctions has been based on a rigorous hierarchy, with national orders at the top, followed by specific decorations and medals designed to mark specific actions. 

These distinctions, now awarded in the name of the President of the Republic, are far more than mere insignia. They are fragments of history, where metal and enamel fix the memory of a commitment.

While their protocol value remains, it is often their provenance that dictates their prestige: those that adorned the chests of 19th century generals, marshals, statesmen, have become collector's items, objects of fascination as much as of memory.

Reasons to sell a military order or order of chivalry at auction   

If you own a military order or order of chivalry and don't know how to sell it, auctions are one solution. Indeed, collectors use this medium to find models that correspond to a particular battle or that belonged to their ancestors. Prices can reach unprecedented heights.

L'ordre de la Légion d'Honneur

Created in 1802 by First Consul Bonaparte, the Légion d'Honneur is today France's highest honor. Unlike the old orders of chivalry, it is not based on nobility, but rewards merit, both civil and military.

It is awarded by decree of the President of the Republic, and remains a symbol of prestige and national recognition. 

The insignia consists of a five-pointed white enamel star, suspended from a wreath of laurel and oak. In the center, a medallion depicts the effigy of the Republic surrounded by the motto "Honneur et Patrie" ("Honor and Country"). Its design has undergone some evolution over time, but its prestige remains intact. 

The order is organized into three grades - knight, officer and commander - and two higher dignities - grand officer and grand cross.

The material used for the insignia varies according to rank: gold is reserved for the highest distinctions, and some antique pieces are adorned with precious stones or diamonds. 

For over two centuries, the Legion of Honor has been awarded to military personnel, scientists, artists, writers and resistance fighters. Today, it remains a testament to excellence and commitment to the service of France.

The Military Medal and the Order of the Liberation

Instituted in 1852 by Napoleon III, the Military Medal is intended for soldiers and non-commissioned officers who have performed acts of bravery or served with exemplary loyalty.

It embodies the supreme recognition of courage in combat and bears the motto "Valeur et Discipline".

Although reserved exclusively for military personnel, it can also be awarded to foreign heads of state in recognition of services rendered to France. Its prestige is such that it is sometimes referred to as the "soldier's Legion of Honor". 

The Ordre de la Libération, meanwhile, is an exceptional distinction created in 1940 by General de Gaulle at the height of the Second World War.

Designed to reward individuals, military units and communities that played a decisive role in the liberation of the country, it is one of France's rarest orders, with only 1,038 decorated companions.

Contrary to the other awards, it has never been subject to a system of grades and can no longer be awarded since the death of its last chancellor in 2020. 

The insignia of these two decorations have remained unchanged since their creation.

The Médaille Militaire takes the form of a gilded medallion suspended from a yellow ribbon edged in green, while the croix de l'Ordre de la Libération sports a sober, powerful design in patinated bronze, marked by a vertical sword and a black shield crossed by five nails symbolizing suffering and sacrifice.  

L'Ordre national du Mérite

Created in 1963 by General de Gaulle, the Ordre National du Mérite complements the Légion d'Honneur by rewarding services rendered to the nation, by both civilians and military personnel.

It recognizes exemplary commitment in a wide range of fields, including public service, industry, research and associations.

The aim was also to simplify and modernize the system of honorary distinctions by grouping several former orders under a single institution.

Its organization is based on that of the Légion d'Honneur, with three grades - chevalier, officier, commandeur - and two dignities - grand officier and grand-croix. 

Its insignia takes the form of a blue-enamelled six-pointed star, suspended from an azure-blue ribbon. Depending on rank or dignity, it can be silver or gold.

As with other decorations, some older models feature more elaborate details, with chiseled finishes and variations in materials.

It is awarded in the name of the President of the Republic, Grand Master of the Order, after examination of the recipients' merits. Even today, it remains an essential distinction, awarded in recognition of a remarkable career and lasting commitment to the service of the country.

Foreign military orders and orders of chivalry

Beyond French distinctions, foreign military orders and orders of chivalry also occupy a privileged place on the French auction market, and are sought after by collectors for their history, rarity and the aura they carry.

Among these distinctions, the Order of Saint Stanislas, created by the Russian Empire in 1765, remains an emblematic example.

Highly prized by collectors, this order, which was awarded for services to the state or monarchy, is no longer awarded today, which accentuates its value. The rarity of its insignia, often in gold or set with precious stones, contributes to its renown.

Similarly, the Order of Saint Catherine, founded in 1714 by Peter the Great to honor Russian ladies of high society and deserving women, is highly esteemed in the world of decorations.

This prestigious order, which featured a blue ribbon and star-shaped medal, is an almost exclusively female distinction, and its awarding has ceased since the Russian Revolution. Its rarity on the market accentuates its appeal to lovers of Russian imperial history.

Orders from other countries such as Germany, Spain but also Latin America and Asia also attract many collectors, as do antique weapons.

Knowing the value of a military or knightly order

If you happen to own a military or knightly decoration, and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team, made up of experts and certified auctioneers, will contact you promptly to give you an estimate of the market value of your piece, not forgetting to send you ad hoc information about it.

If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.