Bilco

Herewith ... OK - I get it - no VILLA! And no dots!! Bill

Many thanks Macchiatera72 - herewith ... Bill

Hi macchianera72 - if there is no signature (by which I guess you mean the manufacturer's name) how do we know it is by Lorioli & Castelli? I have one, but always understood that the manufacturer is unknown. Bill

My latest acquisition is this - something a bit different. Is it a coin or is it a medal? Laslo has it in his book as “So-Called Dollar” Type 2. It’s made of copper, and measures 36mm in diameter. The planchet is thinner than the Type 2 vic, and there is no suspension. The seller and Laslo both give a reference number of HK-902, referring to a book called “So-Called Dollars” by Harold E. Hibler and Charles V. Kappen. The contents of this book are viewable on-line and the page for this item is at https://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/World_War_I_Victory_Medals.html The reference also mentions the same item in bronze with the reference number HK-901. I have seen a few suspension-less bronze US vics offered on eBay, but always assumed that they were Type 2 with the suspension removed! Laslo says that some 5-20 of the copper version are known and 51-250 of the bronze version. The obverse and reverse are identical to the official medal, so it is assumed that the official dies were used to produce them, but the manufacturer is not known. The quality of the striking is very good. The edge looks uniformly smooth. In 2005 a query was raised on the blog E-Sylum (which appears no longer to be around) of what was thought might be a ‘trial piece’, made in copper (The E-Sylum: Volume 8, Number 41, September 25, 2005, Article 16). The reply, from a gentleman called Dick Johnson, was rather scathing, and called the piece “junk”! He seems to link it to the firm of Aronson of Newark, who got a government contract to produce some of the Official vics, but their output was said to be of poor quality. These pieces have the name “So-Called Dollar” as this is the name collectors give to exposition, commemorative and monetary medals of a similar size to a silver dollar coin. Whatever it is, it’s an interesting addition to my vic collection Recently, a ‘solid-gold’ vic was offered on eBay – BIN $49,500.00. It had the suspension as normal, but had an HK ref of 902a, as if it was a so-called dollar – it isn’t in the book. The seller said that it had 22K on the edge, and it’s the only one of its type - ‘not even the Smithsonian has one ...’ Unfortunately, he didn’t ship to the UK …. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/989589/interesting-sc-on-ebay-of-all-places Bill

SAI could be South African Infantry, or South African Irish Regiment, although the National Archives site show the abbreviations for these units differently https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiwicjUtZbaAhXHe8AKHag0ALYQFggnMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalarchives.gov.uk%2Fdocuments%2Frecords%2Fabbreviations-in-world-war-one-medal-index-cards-unit.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2F7XSDOgHy8GRlugku0bu- This source also shows a unit called Rhodesian South African Infantry Brigade, abreviation RHODNS. S.A.I. BGDE. This is a lot to get on the edge of a medal after number, rank and name, so may have been shortened to SAI? The link downloads a .pdf file. Bill

Chris - have a look at this thread http://sagongs.ipbhost.com/topic/6572-877-havildar-sher-zaman-66th-punjabis-msm-pair/ Same regiment, so maybe someone there can help ... Bill

The first medal in this group appears to be of French design, but it's with two Portuguese medals. Is it French or Portuguese - or something else?? The other medals are: The other two medals are: "Medalha Centenário do Marechal Francisco Marcelino de Souza Aguiar, 1855 – 1955" or "Medalha Souza Aguiar" in Bronze created by June 10, 1955 and ordered by the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, to commemorate the first centenary of the birth of Marechal Souza Aguiar. and Marine Rescue Silver award. Portuguese name: Philanthropy and Charity Medal of Relief Institute to Castaways. Issued by the Shipwreck Relief Institute (ISN), which is the Portuguese Institute for Lifesaving. Such awards are usually for rescue at sea and come in few variations and 3 classes. Originally established in 1908 and revised in 1913 with additional types. Presented here is award with inscription: 'Philanthropy - Charity'. Most wonderful decoration, rarely awarded in any class. Bill

Many thanks, Bill

Hi Lambert, Another possibility is a medal dedicated to Saint Cecilia, if your group is more related to music, it would be consistent with that. May I post the picture of the three medals on another fourm to see if there is any further identification? Bill

Hi Lambert, Yes, the scene on the reverse of your medal has some diiferences to the ones at the Maritime Museum. The medal was made by Spink, and the Museum web site shows an example with a simple wire loop suspension http://prints.rmg.co.uk/artist/27488/spink-son-ltd Maybe you should contact Spinksand ask if yours is one of theirs or a copy by someone. https://www.spink.com/departments/medals.asp Best wishes, Bill

Hi Lambert, There is an example of this medal in the Royal Museums Greenwich with description. However, the ones illustrated don't have the suspension loop. They are made of gilded bronze, white metal, pewter, or tin. http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/38637.html http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/40438.html http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/40219.html http://collections.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/38639.html Google Images has several pictures of the medal, all without the suspension yours has https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=centenary+of+the+battle+of+trafalgar+medal&client=firefox-b-ab&dcr=0&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9_PfBrtXYAhWsAMAKHXi-ACEQsAQIQg&biw=1600&bih=720#imgrc=_ Best wishes, Bill

Hello Oliver, That looks like a French-made repro, as shown in Laslo. He gives diameter of 37mm, and says that there 'might' be MADE IN FRANCE on the edge, so its absence isn't a problem. Bill

Very nice, macchianera72, and in much better shape than mine ... Bill

Just acquired, this Cuban-made Victory medal by Vilardebo y Riera. On the first page of this thread, first and second post, there is a group of medals posted by RobW, showing another example of this variety. It is shiny gilt, with a thin planchet, the obverse striking is shallow without a background to the figure, while on the reverse the lettering at the top is hard against the rim. Jim Michel's book classifies this version as Unofficial Type 2. This one has a strange small suspension ring - possibly to go on a fob chain? I have sourced a replacement ring and a suitable ribbon to restore the medal. All comments welcome. Bill

Thanks Rob Bill

An interesting article on the unofficial Victory Medal ribbon on this Australian site https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/unofficial-victory-medal-ribbon-1919 Has anyone seen the article referred to at the end? Bill

It looks to be a good example, with the designer Paul Dubois name on the obverse. The ribbon is a nice example of the Belgian 'sine-wave' watering, and it has the two-pronged mounting. Bill

There was a thread on the British Medal Forum back in 2015 about modern ribbon for the British vic, which shows some comparisons between modern and original ribbon, and points up the different quality of modern offerings http://www.britishmedalforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=286&t=105615 You might have to sign up to the BMF, but it costs nothing and they don't pester you! Bill

Hi Yasser, No, nothing new to contribute I fear. I do note the distinctive watering on the Belgian ribbon - I must look into how this is produced ... Bill

Herman - without being able to see the rest of the brooch it's hard to be definite, but there are several US-made brooches used on various official and unofficial awards that could fit the bill. There is a very good illustrated guide to US medal brooches here http://www.medalmuli...ooch-guide.html which might help you. Bill

I think you're OK Herman. Bill

Is there any mark on the edge? Bill

Hi Lambert, Uruguay has coins with a radiant sun with a face, and a medal, too. I know no more! Bill

Hi Oliver - yes, this looks to be a good Official Type. Bill

I suspect that this link refers to the Belgian Committee in Taunton ... https://somersetremembers.wordpress.com/category/exhibition/ Bill