davidck

And the unofficial type 1. I haven't measured the diameter, but it is noticeably smaller than the other Italians in my collection, so I'm sure it is an unofficial type 1, rather than a reissue type 2.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-67688400-1402948019.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-43090000-1402948088.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-40466800-1402948171.jpg

I believe I have a couple of rarities here: the Italian official type 4 and unofficial type 1. First, the official type 4:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-02744100-1402947515.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-39195600-1402947591.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_06_2014/post-16545-0-39037600-1402947822.jpg

I actually just received a Rumanian unofficial type 1 in the mail, so didn't bid on that auction of his. I was interested in the type 3a, but that went for nearly $400, and I just wasn't prepared to spend that at the moment.

Thoughts on whether this unofficial type 3a is genuine? It looks good to me, but I don't know if copies exist of this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221440551125?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Here are a couple eBay items I'm watching...at the risk of alerting potential competitors to the auctions, does anyone have any thoughts on these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221440493327?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221440494898?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

They both appear to me to be unofficial type 1, even though the 2nd is listed as a type 2. The crudeness apparent in Laslo's pictures of the type 2 don't seem to be present here, and the suspension also doesn't match.

Things are slow here lately, so here's my latest acquisition: a French official with triangle and BR marks on the reverse.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-16545-0-55638500-1400518060.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-16545-0-01076800-1400518105.jpg

Any thoughts on this Brazilian?

Got this in the mail today. This is the only Lejsek Czechoslovakian medal I have seen so far, and is probably the rarest medal I have yet to collect.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2014/post-16545-0-00783600-1396884616.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2014/post-16545-0-05657900-1396884649.jpg

And closeups of the LA markings:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2014/post-16545-0-71594600-1396884737.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2014/post-16545-0-01516800-1396884762.jpg

It looks to me like an unofficial type 1. The space between the crosses on the reverse is textured and Victory's feathers are more angular at the end. Good-looking example.

Any thoughts on this Portuguese vic? It would appear to be an unofficial type 1, but I can't tell for sure. It has the suspension that Laslo identifies on the unofficial type 1 and the slightly rough surface between the crosses on the reverse, but some of the die features look more like those found on the official type 2--the ends of Victory's feathers, for instance, are a bit more angular than in Laslo's pictures of the unofficial type 1, which are more rounded. The suspension also is noticeably off-center.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2014/post-16545-0-84537000-1395856184.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2014/post-16545-0-77351400-1395856196.jpg

Hi Bill, it certainly looks real to me. I would guess that the suspension broke and was later resoldered and that someone intentionally gilded it. I have a French official that was silvered by the owner, so I wouldn't be surpriset to hear that some are also gilded. I can't imagine why anyone would fake a Belgian Type 1, as they are so common...not much profit to be had from producing such a fake.

Just got this in the mail: Greek unofficial type 3, "missing O" variety. Ignore my cat's paw in the picture of the obverse.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2014/post-16545-0-72317900-1395170710.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_03_2014/post-16545-0-71250200-1395170725.jpg

Yes, I should have done that from the beginning. Here they are. The one with all the spots and grime is the thicker one that I just received.

I received a Belgian official in the mail a few days ago, because, despite its poor condition, it was cheap and I wanted the silver bars, When it arrived, I found the planchet to be noticeably thicker than my other Belgian official example. There are no makers marks or the word "BRONZE" along the edge, so it's a regular Type 1, as far as I can tell. Anyone have an opinion on the differing thickness?

Thanks for the picture, Gunner. I am still confused on how to tell if the suspension is saudered. The suspension on this example looks indistinguishable from others I've seen. Can someone explain how to tell?

Thanks, glad I asked before putting in a bid.

Any comments on this example? It looks consistent with the genuine copies to me, but I figured I'd ask the experts.

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I belive I have something a little unusual here. I got this on eBay, because I'd never seen a silvered French vic before. Realizing it may have been silvered much later, I figured it wasn't much of a risk for $25. This is the standard Morlon variety, and you can see the silvering has worn away in some places, revealing the bronze beneath. Has anyone else seen something like this or know why/when it may have been silvered?

I apologize for the picture quality...you may just have to take my word for it that it has a mainly silver coloration.

Looks like an unofficial type 1...seems to be missing the "Kristesko" on the obv.

Argh, I was actually watching that one but didn't bid because I wasn't sure if it was a type 1. Looking at the suspension, I don't see what makes it different...it looks just like my type 2.

I am having trouble understanding the difference between the British type 1 and type 2 vics. I've looked through this thread and in Laslo's book, and understand that the type 1 is dark and dull, with the suspension saudered on. However, I'm still having trouble deciding based on pictures, which one I'm looking at. There are a number of British vics on eBay right now, and I really can't tell which ones might be type 1s. The sheen of the medal is not necessarily a giveaway, as I could just be looking at a tarnished type 2. I'm also not sure how to tell by looking whether the suspension is saudered.

Any pointers?

Got the Morlon version with triangle maker's mark (but no "BR") in the mail today. Got a great price on it too!

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The third type:

In front: the figure of a woman with wings, representing the victory before a shield resting on the ground and that she supports with her left hand, while with his right hand raised, holding a torch, a helmet at his feet.

On the reverse: a dove on the left, raised their wings, with an olive branch in its beak. At the top, in turn, is the motto of the large cavity. "War For Civilization" and horizontally, from top to bottom, divided by dove beneath the legend AI . COMBATTENTI . DELLE . NAZIONI / ALLEATE . ED . ASSOCIATE .. Associate and in-line below MCMXV MCMXVIII

(immagine Scarpa-Sézanne "Le decorazioni del Regno di Sardegna e del Regno d'Italia - Commemorative - vol.2" - Tav. 25)

Istituzione : 1920

Comments welcome.

Has anyone ever actually come across one of the walking/standing Italian versions? Laslo's book doesn't have much information on the origin of these, and am wondering what their backstories are.

Here are my Belgian vics. Still puzzled as to why the Riemer and Lejsek versions were at a store in Vienna, but I'm not complaining

Left to right: official, Lejsek, Riemer, uniface:

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-16545-0-59562000-1388847391.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-16545-0-81138700-1388847408.jpg

This finally arrived in the mail. By all appearances, a good example of the Romanian official.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-16545-0-74908900-1388610357.pnghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2014/post-16545-0-66322400-1388610385.png