9-Carat Gold Masonic Medals

Item Description

A 9ct gold Masonic medal for the Royal York Lodge, Nailsworth 2709, weight 25 grams; and a silver Masonic medal with three bars to the ribbon, gross weight 32 grams, both in tooled leather cases.

Gold Masonic Medals: Auction Guide

The Freemasons is a fascinating, guild-like organisation with a rich history in the UK spanning centuries of fraternity. And this intriguing heritage is characterised by a legacy of beautifully crafted and highly symbolic regalia - including medals.

Such pieces are often passed down through generations and are frequently discovered in Freemasons' estates by family members who may not fully understand their significance and value (personal and, often, monetary). The unfortunate result is that many Freemason medals end up in the scrap-gold melting pot or collecting dust elsewhere. However, in April 2026, we sold two examples that thankfully avoided this undeserved fate - which fetched a rewarding £800 under the hammer.

The Masonic medals in question included a 9-carat gold example from the Royal York Lodge of Nailsworth, a Gloucestershire town nestled in the Cotswolds, adjacent to Tetbury and Wotton-under-Edge. This auction lot enjoyed healthy, competitive bidding, which illustrates perfectly the benefit of presenting Masonic medals to a global audience of collectors (and fellow Freemasons) who appreciate the heritage and history of Masonic regalia. 

The first step to understanding the monetary worth of Masonic medals is to gain a clear picture of what they actually are and the function they fulfil. This includes the key types of regalia and their wider purpose within Freemasonry. And it is where we shall start, before delving into the specific factors of what drives the value of a gold Masonic medal. 

What Are Masonic Medals?

In the intriguing, ceremonial world of Freemasonry, medals are traditionally called 'jewels'. This term includes ceremonial tokens and badges of office, with each design strictly regimented according to the bearer. Masonic jewels are certainly not costume jewellery; Freemasons proudly wore their jewels at important events, lodge meetings, and formal gatherings.

Much like military medals, Freemason equivalents serve as a symbolic record of a lodge member's life in the organisation, signifying their rank, charitable contributions, and importance in the famous 'society with secrets'. 

Masonic jewels are also incredibly diverse in design and craftsmanship, with specific, localised lodges issuing unique designs depending on one's rank, branch, and the time at which the jewel was awarded. This sounds complex, but not to worry - we are experts when it comes to Masonic regalia. One of our team members will inspect your gold Masonic items to extract details regarding their composition, history, and lodge of origin. 

Key Types Of Masonic Medals & Regalia

We have identified several categories of Masonic jewels, many of which frequently appear at auction. A handy way to tell if an item is indeed linked to the Masons is to look for the 'Square and Compass', often accompanied by the letter 'G', for God and/or geometry. That said, not all jewels will present the Square and Compass tools, and other collectable examples of Masonic jewels include:

Past Master Jewels: Granted only to a Master Mason who has reached the top rank in his lodge. Collectors of Masonic jewels love Past Master medals because they are scarcer, prestigious awards within the fraternity, commonly custom-engraved with the recipient's name, lodge, and service. Many, too, are crafted from gold and silver, which puts these storied pieces towards the top of the market.

Centenary And Founder Jewels: These medals are issued when a new lodge is opened (for the Founder medal) or when a lodge reaches its 100-year anniversary. Naturally, Centenary and Founder medals are popular among collectors who specialise in individual lodges or regional branches of the Masons. 

Charity Medals: Reflecting the Masons' high regard for charitable endeavour, these jewels are awarded to particularly philanthropic members.

Other Masonic Regalia: The Masons do not rely solely on medals for their visual identity. Additional Masonic items of interest include rings, cufflinks, badges, robes, and even swords! If you suspect your unwanted items are Masonic, our experts will work with you to uncover their history, the lodge they belong to, and their significance within the fraternity. 

What Are Masonic Medals Worth?

When we talk to the public who bring in gold Masonic medals for valuation, we often see that they believe such items are only worth their weight in precious metal. It is, therefore, a surprise to them to see that Masonic medals at auction frequently result in hammer prices far above the quotes of a scrap metal dealer.

Factors That Drive Auction Value

Let's discuss a few factors which signal the value of Masonic medals to bidders at auction.

Precious Metal Content

The above discussion concerning hammer prices is not to say that intrinsic value is irrelevant to the worth of Masonic jewels, but rather that it often serves as a foundation for a greater figure. Antique Masonic medals are more likely to be produced from gold, commonly in a purity of 9, 14, or 15-carat (although some are higher). Overall, the gold or silver content of a Masonic jewel determines its baseline value, and a member of our team will test the purity of your item to accurately reflect this to interested buyers. 

Age and Origin

As mentioned above, older medals are more likely to be composed of precious metal. General age, though, is also a driver of collector premiums. For example, we have seen that Georgian and Victorian Masonic regalia is becoming increasingly rare on the market. Therefore, when they do come up, buyers' attention is firmly secured. 

Maker and Guild

Collectors who know the history of Masonic jewels know that certain classic makers attract the highest prices at auction. To many, the definitive Masonic maker is Toye, Kenning & Spencer, a combination of separate companies that have produced Masonic regalia for centuries. Our inspection of your items includes an analysis of the maker, given that this is often of interest to collectors. 

History and Provenance

As we touched upon earlier in the case of Past Master Jewels, the individual story of a Masonic medal can greatly increase its value. Those awarded to significant members of the Freemasons, be it to their lodge, branch, or the fraternity as a whole, are more likely to enjoy auction success. Therefore, complete presentations with a traceable history are of great interest to enthusiasts. 

Selling Masonic Medals At Auction

Should you decide to sell your or a family member's Masonic jewels, our valuation will consider all of the above factors, as well as the individuality of the items you bring to us. We firmly believe that Masonic regalia is best served at a trusted auction house, rather than the melting pot, which is indiscriminate when it comes to items of personal and historical significance.

Why Auctions Beat Scrap Value

Our access to a worldwide group of bidders means that gold Masonic jewels reach the eyes of those who will pay collectable premiums for these items. Buyers are often interested in jewels from international lodges, meaning UK Masonic items can receive bids from across the globe.

When we receive gold Masonic medals under consignment, our professional cataloguing service ensures that the piece is appraised with an expert, holistic approach. A professional photographer will also ensure that the item is presented in the best possible way to online bidders. 

To ensure a base value, you can place a reserve price on your item(s). For lots that do sell at or above this figure, we then handle payments and shipping, providing you with protection and security.

Consign Gold Masonic Jewels With RWB Auctions

If you have Masonic medals (or related items) you would like to sell at auction, arrange a no-obligation valuation with our friendly team, who will happily assist - no secret handshakes required!

To do so, give us a call on 01793840777. Alternatively, we invite you to contact us via email at office@rwbauctions.com.