Megan

Next up, the Medal for Distinction in Military Service Few details have yet been found, but this appears to be the military long service and good conduct award, which comes in three classes. The obverse shows the National Arms with a wreath below, whilst the reverse shows a trophy of arms upon which a shield displays a Roman numeral indicating which class the medal is. The ribbon is red with narrow yellow edges and one, two or three central narrow green stripes – the same pattern as was used in the Russian Federation for the equivalent medal 1995-2009. First Class (20 Years): Second Class (15 Years):

There is also a Medal for Bravery. This was instituted on 4 December 1992 for personal courage and bravery shown in battle against the enemies of the Republic of Abkhazia or in protecting the state border of the Republic of Abkhazia and for the performance of military duty under conditions involving a risk to life. It is a bronze medal, 32mm in diameter. The obverse shows a horseman with a bow in his outstretched hand, and the reverse bears the word BRAVERY in Abkhazian and FOR BRAVERY in Russian in two horizontal rows. The ribbon is three equal stripes of red, white and green.

As far as I can tell, next in the order of precedence comes the Order of Courage, which was instituted in 2007 to mark acts of bravery, selflessness and courage, and other services, in the performace of military duty; and by Interior Ministry officials and customs officers. No other information has been found (yet!).

The Order of Leon was instituted on 4 December 1992 in a single class to recognise acts of bravery and selfless courage prefromed by citizens of Abkhazia or foreigners in the interests of the Republic. The insignia consists of a breast badge in the shape of a convex diamond made up of rays diverging from the centre. In the centre there is a gold depiction of King Leon mounted on a horse, hand upraised, surrounded by a red-enamelled circle bearing the word LEON above bronze laurels. Behind the badge are two crossed swords, hilts downward. Early examples had the hilts at the top but this was amended in accord with heraldic principles of indicating victory. The width of the badge is 85mm at its widest point. The reverse is plain, with a threaded stud and nut for affixing it to the clothing. The insignia was designed by Valery Gamgia. The Order does not appear to have a ribbon associated with it.

And now the third class (which unlike the other two, is a breast badge rather than one worn around the neck): Finally, the third class with swords:

Now, the second class with swords:

Next up, the the Order of Honour and Glory, which was instituted on 10 January 2002, and is the highest Abkhazian Order. It is awarded in three classes to citizens of Abkhazia for outstanding services to the Republic, and may also be awarded to foreigners. A military unit or ship that particularly distinguishes itself may be awarded the distinction in a streamer of the colours of the order’s ribbon: red with narrow white edge stripes. The first and second classes are worn as neck badges, whilst the third class is worn as a breast badge taking precedence over all other Abkhazian or foreign awards held. The badge of the order consists of an eight-pointed star in the shape of a solar symbol, being 45mm wide. In the centre there is a red-enamelled disk 15mm in diameter bearing further solar symbols and surrounded by a circlet of laurel leaves and the words HONOUR-GLORY in Abkhazian. The reverse is plain with the recipient’s name and date of award engraved upon it for the first class, a serial number alone for the second and third classes. The badge for the first class is gold, silver with gold circlet for second class and completely in silver for the third class. Military awards bear crossed swords on the uppermost arm of the star – sources are unclear but it appears that swords are worn only on the second and third class badges. The insignia was designed by Levars Butba. Normally awards are returned on promotion within the order, but an award with swords is retained if the higher award is without them. The first class is returned on the death of the holder, to be placed in the state museum, except in the case of awards to foreigners where – along with holders of lower classes – the insignia may be retained by the family. Here is the first class insignia: (Sorry, it's not a very good image and only of the obverse.) Next, the second class badge:

(Think this is the right section...) The Republic of Abkhazia regards itself to be an independent state, and it is so recognised by a few other sovereign nations, but Georgia reckons it is a region of its own territory, albeit fairly autonomous. There has been contention - sometimes descending to outright brawling - ever since the dissolution of the USSR and Georgia's decision to become independent from the emerging Russian Federation. Anyway, as they regard themselves as independent, they issue orders, decorations and medals. While information is hard to get, never mind pictures, this is where I have got to... I am sure some of you will be able to correct or expand upon what I have found out so far, and maybe even add to it. First up is the Medal of Hero of Abkhazia. The title of ‘Hero of Abkhazia’ and its associated medal were instituted on 4 December 1992. It may be awarded to citizens and foreigners alike for individual or collective services to the Republic of Abkhazia and for acts of courage. Drawing on the historic influences of Soviet ‘Hero’ titles and incorporating national symbols, the medal is worn on the left side of the chest above any other awards, and is always worn entire, not as a ribbon bar. The design consists of a gold eight-pointed star with diverging rays from the centre, overlain with a convex solar symbol and with a gemstone at the centre. On the reverse the inscription HERO OF ABKHAZIA appears in Abkhazian. The medal was designed by Valery Gamgia, and is 35mm from edge to edge. The ribbon is striped horizontally, four green and three white stripes, mounted on a four-sided frame. It is always worn entire. (Drat, the Abkhazian text is not rendering correctly... so I have taken it out for the time being.)

Fascinating - as ever, thank you Emmanuel.

Here's the address for you, Owain: - The Priory of England & The Islands St John's Gate Clerkenwell London ECIM 4DA What you have, by the way, is the badge of a Serving Sister of the Order.

Although no longer awarded it still features in the current Table of Precedence of 11 March 2005. Mervyn, is there any chance that you'd permit me to use your images on my website (with acknowledgement, of course)? I've never seen pictures of the actual badge before, just sketches in S. Monick's Awards of the South African Uniformed Public Services 1922-87.

Lovely, and one I have never seen before Found this in my archives, the Althing medal with its case:

Thank you, Michael... the specialist Icelandic characters are OK once you know your way around character sets! Always interested in good images (and you'd better PM your real name for the acknowledgements page, you helpful person!). Do you happen to know to whom it was given? As in terms of award... all I know is that it was to mark the thousandth anniversary of the Althing.

Images seem dreadfully rare, let alone the actual medal!!! Still looking for its official name in Icelandic and the decree creating it.

Instituted in 1930 by King Christian X of Denmark to mark the 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Althing (Icelandic parliament) in 930AD.

Blatent plug: if you are interested in the variations of the Order of the Crown medals - different manufacturers, French or bilingual motto, etc. - get yourself a copy of Antti Ruokonen's book The Spirit of the Lion: Orders of Belgium which has copious details and illustrations of the different types! Antti is our very own Blitz here on GMIC, if you didn't happen to know.

Reading the statutes, the Order of St Catherine seems to be in a single class worn as a sash or on a bow. No mention if it's only for ladies. Or where the neck badge Frank posted fits in...

That's a fine selection, SasaYU! Are these scans of that booklet I talked about at the beginning of the thread? The images are about the same quality as the ones I found online... Good to see them, thank you!

Next in the order of precedence is the Order of the Yugoslav Flag (Orden Jugoslavenske zastave). It is awarded for meritorious services to the nation. Here there are both similarities to and difference from the communist-era order of the same name. To start with, it has 3 classes instead of the former order's five (although the bottom two classes were, unusually, much more rarely awarded than higher ones!). The badge of the first class has been changed, so that it looks the same as the badge of the other classes. As you probably know, it was previously flag-shaped and unenamelled - quite distinctive. The reverse of the badge has also been changed, to show the FRY coat-of-arms. First class: Second class: Third class (reverse): (Again, apologies for the image quality...)

This is a work in progress, there will be more to come!

Next comes the Order of the National Hero, an award for personal courage (in defence of the nation or when saving life) that again has survived from the communist era unchanged. Incidentally, the 1998 Law states that all awards received previously can still be worn. Here's the Order of the National Hero:

Then we have the Order of Freedom, which again appears to be identical in appearance and terms of award to the communist-era award of the same name, a rather spectacular beast given for military leadership at the highest level.

Next up, the Order of the Yugoslav Grand Star. This is awarded in a single class to Heads of State for special merit in developing and strengthening cooperation and friendly relationships between Yugoslavia and other nations. This is identical to the communist-era order of the same name, and although I only have a scruffy little picture, looks the same as well. Badge: Star: In comparision, here's a (much better!) image of the communist-era star:

First up, the highest award, which is a new one: the Order of Yugoslavia (Orden Jugoslavije). It is given to Heads of State and other senior members of government. In effect it has 2 classes, as the Collar and Star are reserved for actual Heads of State, while the Sash and Star can go to any leader who may not be technically a Head of State. Collar: Badge: Star: Apologies for quality, they're from these images I think are from the booklet mentioned above.

Inspired by Paja's recent post on the FRY Medal of Philanthropy (and his kindness in giving me permission to use the images, followed by a lot more information!), I have been having a delve into the ODM of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in general. The complete set was instituted in a single law, the Law on Decorations of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, 4 December 1998, a copy of which I have found online: http://www.podaci.net/_z1/3119776/Z-odliko02v9859-0121.html (in Serbian, of course). This lists all the orders, decorations and medals with the number of classes and what they were awarded for, but does not describe them. Paja tells me that there is a booklet that contains the law plus illustrations, and I think that I have found at least some of the pictures online. These are not up the the quality that I like for my website but at least give me an idea of what I am looking for! The interesting thing is that many of the names of orders are the same (or similar) to those used by communist Yugoslavia (the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to give it its full name), and from what I can make out of the images the design has not changed greatly either. The Communist Yugoslavian designs were not as overtly 'communist' as many of the Eastern Bloc ones, which helps, and it seems that in many cases the main change has been to replace the state coat-of-arms with the new one (and that often on the reverse!). I'll post what I have, with apologies for the quality, and ask that everyone look out for better pictures for me :)