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'Extremely rare' Star Wars medal could fetch £476k

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Getty Images American actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Hamill is wearing a white top, has blond hair and is holding a black gun. Fisher is also wearing a white top and has brown hair. Ford has brown hair and is wearing an unbuttoned cream shirt with a black sleeveless top. Hamill and Fisher look concerned, while Ford looks determined.Getty Images
American actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford all starred in the first Star Wars film

A medal given to Luke Skywalker after he destroyed the Death Star in Star Wars could sell for up to £476,000.

Propstore, based in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, is selling the Medal of Yavin, worn by future Jedi master Luke during the first film in the franchise.

The medal is also believed to have been worn by Harrison Ford - who played Han Solo - during rehearsals for the 1977 film, later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope.

Brandon Alinger from Propstore said the item held a "special place in cinematic history".

It goes on sale in Los Angeles in March with a price estimate of $300,000 to $600,000 (£238,000 to £476,000).

The medal came from the collection of props master Gerard Bourke, who worked on the original Star Wars films shot at Elstree Studios.

Propstore claimed it was the "first and only medal to be offered for public sale" after its team researched the prop.

PA Media A gold medal attached to a brown fabric.PA Media
Skywalker was presented with the medal by his sister Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher)

In the movie, thanks to the efforts of rebels finding the plans for the Death Star, Luke blows up the planet-destroying weapon, which is later rebuilt in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return Of The Jedi.

After fan complaints that alien character Chewbacca was not also given a medal, he was handed the bravery honour during 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker.

Also being sold is Wookie's bowcaster, featured in all three films in the original trilogy, which Propstore called "one of the rarest Star Wars hero props in existence".

A real Horton crossbow was modified to give it a futuristic yet battle-worn look so it could serve as a laser weapon.

It is going on sale with an estimated value of $250,000 to $500,000 (£198,000 to £397,000).

Lucasfilm Chewbacca, a tall alien covered in brown fur, holding his bowcaster, which is a black gun that looks like a crossbow. He is standing next to Harrison Ford as Han Solo, who is firing a pistol.Lucasfilm
Peter Mayhew played Chewbacca (left) alongside Harrison Ford in Star Wars Episode IV

Mr Alinger added: "Principal character pieces from the original trilogy are extremely rare and highly sought after.

"Each of these treasures holds a special place in cinematic history, and we are excited to see them find new homes where they will be appreciated and preserved for years to come."

The Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction in Los Angeles takes place from March 26 to 28.

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