Collecting: A Mix-Up On Medals

In December, the Stolen Valor Act made it a crime to buy, sell, mail, import or export any military decoration approved by Congress. But the bill--intended to stop people from impersonating decorated vets--has such vague wording that medal collectors and auction houses are scrambling to find out if they're within the law. The legislation calls for a one-year maximum sentence and a fine of up to $100,000 for improper use of the Distinguished Service Medals, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star and Purple Heart. But critics say it's drawn so broadly that active-duty soldiers can't mail home their own medals. Online auction sites such as eBay have already begun to cancel bidding on Purple Hearts and other decorations, regardless of whether the medals date back decades or longer. (Collectors of Civil War memorabilia could be affected.) Manions International, an auction house devoted to militaria, has yanked all American medals from its listings. And Jeff Floyd, the largest auctioneer of orders and medals from around the world, canceled his company's February round of auctions as he takes a "wait and see" approach.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Kent Conrad, has said its intent is to impede only impostors, not collectors, and a legal group that examined the law says collectors appear to be safe. But enthusiasts worry that an outlaw market may emerge. "The law will force the collectors, archivists and historians to go underground," says retired Capt. Dean Veremakis, USNR, who serves as the president of the Orders & Medals Society of America.

Uncommon Knowledge

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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