alex82 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Once again I seek the expertise of this Forum! This came to my collection recently and the French dealer hadn't much information, it is obvious Vietnamese and pre 1975. I also mentioned that it looks a bit like the National Order of Vietnam from which I read also exists a Grand Cross. Could this be the Grand Cross of the Order of Vietnam?? (I didn't found a picture of a Grand Cross anywhere) Thank you a l e x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 The Box and the Backside of the Medal… I forgot to mention; this medal is Huge, about 10cm in aperture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul L Murphy Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 This is indeed the breast star of the National Order of Vietnam. I am not sure if it was only used with the Grand Cross or if it was also used with the 2nd class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Wolfe Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Hi Alex, What a great Order and with the original box! I'm glad you included the size as when I read it I had to take a second look and then check my rule just to realize how big it is. Very nice. Regards Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFloyd Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 The breast star was the same for first and second class. The first class included a sash and badge; the second class was the star alone. The first class set I acquired in Vietnam were housed in long caes, without fitted pads to hold the badge and star (i.e., the star was just tucked into the case to rattle around unhindered). The second class stars were individually cased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Hello Gentlemen Thank you very much for your help, I'm very excited to have proof that this is actually the breast star! So, I have a few additional questions now: - So you think this is the 2th Class star because of the Box? - Is there any chance to date this medal? - I'm just curious, is this a rare medal and has some value? I just ask because the dealer didn't actually knew what he sold, and I didn't pay much for it. Here is a Picture of the Box opened Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 This picture shows better how huge this medal is in comparing to my lion and sun breast star… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBFloyd Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Probably made in the late 1960s, but difficult to date precisely. These were made by private manufacturers, so quality varied. The strikes I saw in the 1971-1972 period had no detail at all on the back. Early (1950s), French-made pieces often had some detail mirroring the design of the golden arms on the front. There is substantial interest in Republic of Vietnam awards here in the US (both among veterans of the Vietnam War and among Vietnamese who came here as refugees). There is also interest in France. The last breast star like this I sold went for US$750. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 15, 2009 Author Share Posted October 15, 2009 750$! I only payed about 180$ for this, guess I was lucky then. Again, thank you for your help on this and have a nice day a l e x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heusy68 Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 Hello Gentlemen, This is a breast star of National Order of Vietnam french made in silver gilt (hallmark on pin). You will see on next picture the reverse and what wrote Jeff Floyd about reverse mirroring some of the obverse. And yes there have existed variation in size & quality and recently some fake have surfaced of very very poor quality. A good reference on Vietnam Republic is the book of John Sylvester Jr. Mine is 92 x 95 millimeters for a weight of 112 grammes. What is the weight of yours ? Emmanuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 16, 2009 Author Share Posted October 16, 2009 Emmanuel thank you very much for sharing your medal and knowledge Mine is a bit lighter; 102gr but also 92x95mm. AND there is a hallmark as well, I tried to take a picture of it… does this maybe say something about the manufacture-time or manufacturer?? do you also have a case for your medal? cheers a l e x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heusy68 Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 No case for mine.The case is rarer than the star itself.... Is it a swan hallmark on the pin ? Emmanuel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex82 Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 It looks like a swan or a duck, I tried to zoom in and make it better visible but my camera is to bad for the teeny tiny hallmark… what does the swan hallmark say about the medal?? best regards a l e x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kunsho Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 what does the swan hallmark say about the medal?? The swan says: "I am an import hallmark from France". This hallmark is for pieces made from silver, imported from countries without trading contract to France. Regards Matthias Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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