You have to be very careful with
Carpathia medals as there are many, many fakes. They are usually easy to spot.
Beware of any that have central additions, such as a name (usually of a bona fide crew member). These are generally "engraved later" to cover up for the fact that the embossed word COPY has been filed away from reproductions originally procured by the THS.
At the same time, however, a genuine one has sold on eBay for around $11,000 with its original Dieges & Klust box, which is very scarce. They were the New York makers.
One much-discussed
Carpathia medal in the name of Evan Henry Hughes, Chief Steward, first appeared at auction in Sotheby's on July 7, 1998.
Lot 99, it was knocked down for £8,050 Sterling including buyer's fee. The Sotheby catalogue stated that it was "a piece of
uncertain status lacking the usual reverse inscription in relief and therefore possibly a cast copy."
It was stated that it "seems likely that the present piece was prepared subsequently for Mr Hughes, perhaps as a private order," but added: "Its well-worn and re-mounted condition presents some difficulty..."
Its weight, at a shade under 15 grams was some 1.5 grams lighter than the gold medal awarded to Fifth officer Gustav J. Roth.
This gold medal was sold by Sotheby's of New York on July 29, 1997.
Lot 492 represents a World Record for a
Carpathia medal. The Roth example was sold for $55,000 USD.
Re-casts from originals, which make convincing fakes, involve measurable shrinkage from the original size. So you have to be extremely careful.
Beware of all those that appear to be planed down for customized or named recipient inscriptions.
I don't have any such medal myself, but I know at least two people who bought accomplished fakes believing them to be genuine.
Once you have parted with your money, there is no comeback. Take any item considered for purchase to reputable assessors and valuers like Henry Aldridge & Co.
