922F

Excellent development of this obscure but highly fascinating topic! Thanks to all participants!

Possibly, variants distinguishing between republic and kingdom usages.

Daniel's find bringing this topic back to life caused me to look at this thread for the first time. I wrote the 1976 "Medal Collector" article referenced above [Ulsterman's January 30, 2008 post]. I confirm that not only were facts scarce when I wrote the piece but that 'official Hungarian sources' actively ignored/discouraged my inquiries. From the above discussions, it appears that I saw a cast base metal 'copy' medal; not a silver original. The original material submitted for publication was edited a bit for the article; don't recall [other than dropping the Spanish colors stripe from the ribbon description] whether any salient facts got omitted. Knowing that editor quite well, I doubt that he cut anything worth-while; he explained that 'the printer' inadvertently skipped part of the ribbon description. Hundai's contribution certainly expands our understanding of this award and it's relative scarcity. As Gordon noted, the more we study, learn and -- especially -- share, the better our collective [sic!] knowledge.

A fascinating thread! Is the fiver aluminum? Years ago someone reported that wound medals marked 1918 or '18 indicated post-war issue--cannot now locate that reference. Could initials indicate manufacturers? Recently saw an 'extremely rare' aluminum one [twoer] offered at $250...which seems an extreme price to me. Or is that now the going rate?

EXCELLENT!! Sincere congrats!! Saw only one before [unissued in brown card box with same style title as case] in a private collection, Sofia 1980 & sure it 'escaped' from a central holding depot.

BEWARE -- Fakes, some of excellent quality from the 1970's, abound especially of merit medals and Honor Crosses

More great images! Thank you!

Regret that I replied hurriedly so confused Grand Officer with Commander. Both Grand Cross & Grand Officer have gilt star and Commander silver body star. As he wears neither sash nor neck badge and without sense of star body color cannot verify class. Current regulations at http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=180.

Grand Cross has a gold star body and Grand Officer a silver star body-- cannot determine color for this one.

Possibly -- cannot determine whether motto ring enamel or not. Is the center is a cross?

No, sorry. A horizontal element in the center with enamel motto ring surround?

Excellent news!

Stamp on pin reverse hinge seems akin to that of another another such 'slim text' star at same vendor. I must check but really do not recall seeing 'slim text' version before about 2000.

You are welcome....forgot to mention that the silver cross sometimes is identified as the first class and a bronze edition of this award--so-called second class--exists supposedly designated for enlisted men and lower rank civilians.

A silver cross [supposedly officer's or distinguished persons grade] for the Greek War of Independence 1821-29. Replacement [new & wrong color] ribbon. Many copies of the award exist. Suspension rings usually are solid. This one has knurled suspension ring and sharper details than usually encountered--maybe an original but private purchase or early re-strike? Perhaps marketed as a lux version? Royal Decree of 1 June 1834 instituted this cross for Greeks and foreigners involved in the Greek War of Independence, 1821-1831. Greek Orders and Medals by George Dimacopoulos – 1961 provides details concerning this award. Price--depends on vendor costs and collector demand. I'm not aware of any recent sales for genuine pieces, 10 years ago went for $75-$200. Copies run from $10-$50 in Athens souvenir shops.

Too true....

Congrats! Excellent item!

Peron, Some one probably'upgraded' the presentation case/box shown in your post, perhaps in an attempt to make it appear an 'official Royal Mint' issue. Besides Award [Shrewsbury, UK], Cogswell [London, UK] retailed these in red or blue color exterior cases/boxes--first image below shows a red one. Containers seen to date have either white, blue or both color interiors. Red exterior cases display the inscription "Normandy 1944' in gilt. Original blue exterior cases could be ordered with the recipient's name and unit laser engraved on a small plaque fixed to the top of the case lid. [At additional fee?] So whomever 'upgraded' the case lost a possible connection to the original holder if in fact the piece was obtained by a qualified veteran. I have seen nearly 20 of these medals but do not recall any with hallmarks or mint marks nor any definitely identifiable as Royal Mint production. Would estimate that 1/3 had numbers either engraved on the rim, bar clasp reverse or written inside the case. I have never seen a document or cover letter for this medal. A U.S. based firm specializing in similar unofficial commemorative awards offers what it calls a D-Day Commemorative Medal as well as a document for that medal. This item's design may be seen on-line. Criteria to obtain it appears to be payment of the purchase fee. Gordon, the UK veterans' organization that authorized this medal disbanded several years ago. The British Normandy Campaign medal ribbon signifies typical air force, navy, & army colors. It's ribbon pattern resembles that of the first type Order of Saint Catherine of Mount Sinai, a self-styled chivalric order active from about 1880 to 1920. Usually the red stripe is narrower for this Order's ribbon than in 2nd image below however. A group 'revived' the Order around 1980 using a simple red ribbon.

Fischer's lower cross looks like Vatican's Pro Ecclesia Pontifice Cross, established by Leo XIII, July 17, 1888. As to Schlegel--maybe a Bulgarian Military Bravery Order 4th class, 2nd division with swords just before the Ernestine.

Bulgarians used crown ends on aiguillettes as late as 1943. At one point, so did Greeks and Romanians [Kings Constantine I & II and Carol II]. This likely due to their royal family origins & traditions. Other monarchies may have used them as well.

Never saw detailed image of this--find only image I know of it [bestowal to R. Lugar] below:

Great cooperation by all concerned leading to these detailed findings. Owain, your great great aunt surely was quite a lady! Have you an image of her?

Not named or numbered on reverse, presumably not named or numbered on edge? First I've seen with such a thin "Territorial" bar--with reverse image of letters visible. Looks like base metal or silvered base metal -- I'd bet a tailor's copy. Believe that issue medals still made of silver.

My pleasure; the OMSA site contains much similarly useful information.

Star is second type (1932-1947); knight with swords Crowns are second type (1932-1947); middle one likely knight with swords & right side officer or above with swords--grade would be indicated by ribbon device. http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/1999/151153_JOMSA_Vol50_1_19.pdf provides a good overview for the Star Order http://www.omsa.org/files/jomsa_arch/Splits/2008/43278_JOMSA_Vol59_1_04.pdf provides a good overview of the Crown Order