Just a little delusional.

[bakchos215]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161467798396

[PaulR]

That will sit for a while... like forever.

[MWalsh]

The rumor back in 1991, when the medal was being planned and had been announced, was that the medal contained real gold. It's a Saudi medal, their government is not rumored to be hurting for cash, so to youngsters who earned the medal back then, the gold content story was a good source of lots of conversation.

 

I suspect that story about it containing gold was what the seller here was hoping for.

[MWalsh]

Or they could just be goofy too

[PaulR]

I think that they were going to originally be made of gold, however, the US government would not allow it to be awarded due to the requirement that an individual award should not have a monetary value of over a certain amount... maybe 25 dollars?

[Bob Hudson]

The made of gold myth has been around for a long time and often results in someone thinking they have something worth thousands. Here's a craiglist ad a member posted a couple years ago:

 

"During the first Gulf War soldiers, airmen, sailors where given a Gulf War Liberation medal made of real Arabia gold and silver. This medal was given to them by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by King Fahd. This medal as of today's date in "2011" is worth at a minimum around ten thousand dollars ($10,000 U.S.) for the gold, silver and historical value of the medal. It is estimated that the value of this medal will increase drastically up to more than fifty thousand dollars over the next several years. These medals are the ultimate find for any collector in the United States or abroad. To own one of these medals intact with the original green box and ribbon is a true prize to anyone. The original medal is considered one of the most valued military medals of its kind and a true collector's item to say the least."

[Allan H.]

The story that we heard when the medal was being awarded was that a small number (maybe five?) were made out of gold- those awards to Stormin' Norman, General Powell, and couple of other 4 stars. The soldiers were all assured that there was no way one of those five would accidentally be issued to someone else.

 

As happy as the Saudis were to have us there in 1990, were just as eager to see us gone in 1991. I seriously doubt that King Fahad was willing to mint all of those medals in solid gold only for them to leave the kingdom never to return.

 

Allan

[bsgt78]

Hello

The description doesn't say that the medal is made in gold. I am just saying...

[Brig]

Someone's a little fruity in the loops

[25a1eeda]

This was on eBay a couple months ago for 399.00 USD.

 

I contacted the seller believing it should have been listed at 39.90 USD (Maybe a typo in the listing.)

 

Seller responded that she was aware of the average price of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Liberation of Kuwait Medal, and Ribbon with Original Case.

 

However her Husband was in the Gulf War (1991) and was severely wounded, nearly losing both of his legs.

 

After multiple surgeries, and months of hospitalization the legs were saved, but are not all that functional.

 

Remaining shrapnel caused a 12 inch deep vein thrombosis that required an additional surgery.

 

The seller knows that it will never sell at this price, but her Husband insist on this price.

 

He seems to be a very proud man who wishes to provide for his wife, who was a Writer, and now finds herself a full time caretaker for him.

 

One hundred percent disability payments do not cover all of their expenses.

 

As most of us know it’s hard to live on two incomes these days.