Indeed surprising, and a shame! Mind, 30+ years ago I bought a set of 8 medals, Second Afghan War through to WWI, named to a Risaldar Major and IOM holder. The 'other two' - the 1914-15 Star & Victory Medal - had been rejected by the buyer because they were not silver. A subsequent buyer was clever enough to bring them to Canada to sell as militaris, not melt down for the sterling.