Sal

Lorenzo The price depends on the period of the piece. If you are looking for ccurrent issues then I would expect to pay less than what you are quoting. That is my opinion.....i dont think the quality is worth the money, and the fact that they are so readily available in the market adds to my thought. I have older pieces from the 70s back to the 50s. My Commanders is a Balfour piece form the 50s. I got that for less than what you are quoting below. Also have an older Chief Commander 60s or so, and a 70s + piece marked 12c. Not the best quality compared to the older piece, but is far above what you will find in a current issue Chief Commander grade. I would check out as many sites and dealers as you can, ebay as well to get a feel wor what folks are asking and for what period.....as with anything it is worth what youa re willing to pay and how much you want it.....Hope that doesnt muddy the waters too much. Tony

That's the great part Lorenzo...you have the hisstory and provenance with your orders.....you ever think of documenting all in a book or your own web page? Your experience in Iraq coupled with your collection and the contacts you have made is sure to be interesting to many many more people... As always I enjoy seeing your pieces.... T

My humble contribution......got this in 2004 for 10 bucks in Taji....lucky he didnt know what it was. Case is excellent too....

Reverse and case

OK....got another one....instead of a new topic I am adding the new coin/medal/commemorative medal here. Case is grey plastic, medal is about 3" diameter and quite heavy. I have seen the local copies of this and they are cast in poor metal and can never me confused with this. ANy ideas what is says or what I was commemorating (besides Saddam himself)? It looks to be something dealing with the Arab States as a whole based on the "map" on the reverse...but not sure. Any insight is appreciated.

Fantastic....thanks brother.....I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for a case or another badge. Take care

My humble contribution, no bow ribbon, just the planchet. Surprisingly this is the only one I have seen in my travels in Iraq so had to grab it while I could ribbon or no ribbon.

Thanks Lorenzo......have you seen one in the case/box?

Way ahead of ya pal....I already have one...i have a few of the same coin but i have only onr of the set...same gold case as well. Thanks Lorenzo.....take care

Hey my brother, Merry Christmas I paid about 70 or 80 bucks for it i think form our friend in Baghdad. T

Thanks so much...that is a great pic and great bit of history.....

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,1...ml?ESRC=army.nl There are still amazing warriors serving our country and the world today.....

Looking for some help to ID this one. My friend in Baghdad gave it to me & said it had something to do with rewarding Iraqi women for their sacrifices during the war effort. Any ideas or information?? Thanks in advance Tony

My one ....modest....humble.....single.....contribution. When I grow up though, I want to get the big boy sized versions...truly one of the most striking orders..... The photo is Rick's form the sale room when I bought it....seem to have lost the ones I shot.....thanks Rick.

My variation.....the back button is missing and the obverse looks to hae been damaged somehow and resealed with resin or epoxy. Otherwise pretty good overall.

I'll keep my eyes peeled....I dont get to Baghdad much. When I go I'll check with our old friends there...should be there in about 3 weeks or so. Take Care T

Here are my 2 variations in manufacturer. The reverse of the second is smooth, the strike is good....the details on the obverse are much more vaulted than the other...

Soooo....how was your vino????? I cant have it here but I can live vicariously through you

I just KNEW something like that as coming I'll be sure to ask him tomorrow....I'm positive he'l tell me he can get them and they are easier than the WaR.... Off topic a little guys....do you hae an image of the Order of Qaddisyiah Saddam?? Many thanks

Yeah but the other side of all the information you guys give me gives me tons more to look for.... But you r right......it's good to have a narrower focus and soome discipline in this venture.....

Fantastic discussion guys....I appreciate that...I do feel better hearing more advanced collectors and experts telling me they are out there. Honestly I really didnt realize it having been away for so long. With respect to the Order of Faisal or the Order of the Republic, do you think the lack of it on the market is simply that it's not as visible as the WaR has been in times? As you have pointed out , it is the most recognizable of the orders.....and has, for lack of a better term, become the "identity" for Iraqi collecting....all know the WaR but as you mention....fewer might recognize the Faisal Order.. My Best

Owain & Ed Thanks very much for your input. I am of the same mindset...problem I was having is what is fair price and not. I have had from 1500 to 3000 USD as a good price....so I topped off at 2K in my mind. Another collector friend who has one form here says 1500 here should be about it so if I cant get it for that....it isnt going to my house. I appreciate your time and of course your insight...thanks again for your help. My Best Tony

Yes sir...that is a great help. No pics are allowed but I can tell you it is perfect. He is trying to get 3K for the GC set.....I know najafcoins has a royal GC set cased for about 2200....the dealers here will tell you the Royal stuff is not wanted here....it's cheap becuase no one wants to collect it. They want the republic period with the eagle.....so there is a feel for the market to some extent, but also the fact that he knows someone will pay it....just a matter of time. I felt 3K for it was too high..... I'll keep working him over Thanks Tony

Hi all.... I have an opportunity for a purchase and would appreciate your input and expertise on scarcity and price.... Same dealer wanting to sell me the swords also has a GC set of the Order of the Two Rivers cased (the insert is missing). The order and sash and star are mint...the case is excellent with virtually no damage to the green exterior. I could not find any marks on the star or badge but the inside of the case is marked Bertrand. I have handled it and it is extremely well made, quite heavy, and simply beautiful. Included in the case are 4 X Post 1958 Bravery medals, mint condition. I mean perfect....all are marked. These are nothing like the ones you might see in the market. A couple more common medals as well but all are made the same solid heavy way..... Looking for ideas about scarcity of the early Republic GC sets and what a fair price would be for te set with the extra medals. I can tell you as much as I want it he is asking well over what I wold even consider entertaining for a price....so I want to go back to him with an expert driven offer and try to make it stick. Thanks ahead of time for your help. Tony

OK....no pics again. I did find out one of them sold. The sword wih the Iraqi National Emblem (eagle) sold.....he said a COL gave him a grand for it.....I doubt it. He was going to take 550 for both from my friend the other day. Anwyay, Below are 2 links from the internet showing the type I believe it is....I lean more toward the Model 1897 Infantry sword than the Regimental model. The handle is not black....but looks like whatever wood was used to make it. The blade is in excellent shape and the engravins are clean and crisp. The guard is good as well. Overall it shows some wear and age but is in good shape. certainly not a brand new sword or refurbished either. The sheath is in good condition as well. It is marked Solingen but I forgot already the maker. http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/ukrifle...entdetaill.html http://www.wkc-solingen.de/newshop/infantrysword.html The dealer here offered to go down to 800 bucks....just for me..... On the blade where you would see the cypher of the monarch is an unattested symbls purpotedly used to identfy the Iraqi Army in general. I have attached the symbol as well. This symbol is also on the cuff/guard as well. Any thoughts are appreciated. Tony