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Gentlemen, Some success in the Riyadh souk the Libyan Order of Good Work. A nice cased 2nd Type. Type 1 Republic of Libya - with red, black white centre Type 2 Jamahariya of Libya - with green, white green centre No makers marks on this piece but possibly by the Italian manufacturers Bertoni. The central inscription is a quotation for the Koran Chapter 5, Verse 10, "Unto him (God) ascend all good words, and the righteous deed does he exalt.To Him mount up (all) Words of Purity; is He Who exalts each Deed of Righteousness" This award is seen on some of the photographs on Gadaffi when in uniform. Kind regards, Owain

Gentlemen, The Arab world is my focus and hence I request the more knowledgeable amongst you for any identification on this cased award on sale in the souk here in Riyadh. All in excellent condition including the presentation case - breast stat, neck badge with neck ribbon..It is an individually hand crafted set in silver with gold embellishments and most attractive. Can anyone confirm the identification and relative scarceness of such a set? Any ideas? The vendor had various other Egyptian awards some of which I purchased and I am led to believe he bought a job lot of awards in Cairo some 10 or 15 years ago. No price given as yet but if I could get a good deal I may be tempted if only out of curiosity and it really is a most attractive handcrafted set . Kind regards and thanks, Owain

Gentlemen, The Arab world is my focus and hence I request the more knowledgeable amongst you for any identification on this cased award on sale in the souk here in Riyadh. All in good condition includng the presentation case - breast stat, similar neck badge with embellished suspension and neck ribbon. The only anomaly appears to be the ribbon brooch which does not match the neck ribbon. Any ideas? The vendor had various other Egyptian awards some of which I purchased and I am led to believe he bought a job lot of awards in Cairo some 10 or 15 years ago. I am aware that the North Koreans were involved in the establishment of the Military Musuem in Cairo and thus may have had other involvement with the Egyptian military hence this award. No price given as yet but if I could get a good deal I may be tempted if only out of curiosity . Kind regards and thanks, Owain

Just off to the airport........ The circular mark - too indistinct for me to recognise an image - is suggestive to me of European manufacture - not British - possibly French - is it a "swan" - the Frech export mark? Or could it possibly of eastern European manufacture? Owain

Thanks - signing out now, I'll be back later. Owain

Great image of the reverse and it would appear to have a mark on the pin but unclear. I would surmise that following the overthrow of Sallal in 1967 the Egyptian sponsored awards of Saba, Marib and medals of Bravery and Liberation became obslote atnd the ruling Republican Council instituted a new award of Marib to replace the previous series and thereby make a break with the Sallall (Nasser supported) regime. Once the civil war was over, the early 1970 series was possibly an attempt to have a unifying series of awards and the second type you illustrate became obsolete.

Great information, as this implies / infers/ proves that there are three distinct issues of the Order of Marib - the GMIC proves its worth yet again. This is the first documentary evidence I have of the award - really excellent news. It would appear to be a very short lived award. Any idea who made it?

Nice picture of Pavlovich - with star, thus dating the issuance to 1967-9 - between the end of the Civil War and the 1971/2 review of the YAR honours sytem - any award certificate?

Good morning from Dubai, An interesting image but not the Order of Marib - when I get back to Riyadh on Monday I'll post a Marib image - there are two versions - the 1964-67 Bichay manufactured award for the Sallal regime ad the 1971 or 1972 version manufactured by Skinner of London. The image you show I have seen a similar black and white version with sash but with a central lions head claiming to be Yemeni, but in the last 20 years with numerous visits to Sana'a and Aden, I have yet to be able to firmly identify this award. From the picture the only part I could argue is symbolic of the Yemen Arab Republic is the 5 pointed green star which is in the centre of the YAR flag. Do you have an image of the reverse or any provenance for this star? Kind regards, Owain

James, Thanks for your post - most enlightening - I had assumed, wrongly, that one was merely a modified reestablishment of the other. However your comments concerning the use of a national symbol ring true. Many thanks, Owain

Excellent introduction Emannuel - many thanks. The General Service Medal in miniature often has the clasp "Congo" but I have yet t see this in full size. I have also yet to see it as part of a British group of medals. The Independence Medal is one of the scarcer ones from the UK series of such awards and I paid some GBP230 for one at auction some years ago. Regards, Owain

Yes, I had it for a while - a 2nd class military division, and whilst it pained me to hand it back, there was no way to repair or replace the missing central parts - but at least In had the good sense to take pictures.

I don't have one of these - bah! I was offered one some eight years ago in its case, but it was so badly damaged I could not justify purchasing a lump of scrap! One day.......... Owain

Excellent Emmanuel - all good stuff. Owain

Yes, as you note they are two different orders - the former is a six sided award whilst the latter is a multirayed star.

Lorenzo , This is the Order of the Renaissance of the Kingdom of the Hijaz - ruled by Faisal's father Hussain Bin Ali and then his brother Ali. After the Hijaz was taken over by Abdul Aziiz Al Saud (later king of Saudi Arabia) this order and the Hijazi Order of Independence became Transjordanian and latterly Jordanian awards under King Abullah - also a brother of Faisal. Regards, Owain

Wil, I attach images of the DRS issue - army and police ribbons. Owain

Will, According to the DRS protocol "this order shall be awarded to officers of the People's Arrmed Forces, Police and Prison Officers with variations in ribbons identifying each Force according to the conditions prescribed by the regulations of each Force". Not particularly clear but I would suspect that length of service and meritorious service re key elements in being awarded the DSO. The Original issue appear to be all silver while the DRC issue is of gilt with a silvered central disc. Regards, Owain

Wil, Very nice indeed - good to see the post 1956 DSO is correct for the period with the rhino suspension - I've not seen this issue before although the later Democratic Republic of Sudan issue with the crane.or secretary bird is not uncommon - both are, I believe of Spink manufacture. I suspect the Governor General series might be from the Royal Mint but this needs to be confirmed - if indeed the Royal Minit did make them there should be records of how many of each were made and when. Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, Only two types and you have I believe examples of both. Owain.

The colours are correct but the older ribbons of a matt or non-watered silk.

I don't have a copy of this cancelled "regulations" but suspect it was similar to the actual regulations. The Gallantry Medal you refer to and illustrate was replaced with the second type in the 1930's -I'll have to look for the exact date. Owain.

Lorenzo , The instituting law is as follows - enjoy. Owain Published in IGG No. 11, 15 May, 1926 “LAW FOR THE CREATION OF GALLANTRY AND ACTIVE SERVICE MEDALS, 1926” 85. We, KING of IRAQ, With the approval of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, do hereby order the enactment of the following Law: - Article 1. This Law shall be called “Gallantry and Active Service Medals Law” No. 34 of 1926. Article 2 Two medals shall be created, the one to be called “Gallantry Medal” and the other “Active Service Medal”. Their designs, colours, ribbons and manner of wearing shall be defined by a special regulation. Article 3 The Gallantry Medal may be awarded to officers and other ranks who exhibit exceptional gallantry in the battle line. Article 4 The Active Service Medal may be awarded to officers, other ranks and persons who participate in active military operations which will be defined by the Ministry of Defence. Article 5 This law shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Government Gazette. Article 6 The Minister of Defence is charged with execution of this Law. Made at Baghdad this 20th day of April, 1926, and the 8th day of Shawal 1344. FAISAL Prime Minister Minister of Defence ABDUL MUHSIN AL SA’DUN NURI AL SA’ID ----00000---- Published in IGG No. 7, 13 February, 1927 50. The wearing of Iraq and Foreign Medals shall be in accordance with the following order, commencing from the right hand side:- The Iraq Medal.The Gallantry Medal and Active Service Medal.Other Iraq Medals.Al Nahda Medal.The Allies and Friendly Nations Medals and Decorations in order of seniority of date (Published in the Waqayi al Iraqiya No. 511 dated 9-2-27) ----00000---- Published in IGG No.14 of 2 April, 1927) 90. REGULATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION OF LAW FOR THE CREATION OF GALLANTRY AND GENERAL SERVICE MEDALS – “No. 2 OF 1927” WE, KING of IRAQ In accordance with Para 1 of Article 26 of the Organic Law and Article 2 of “Law for the Creation of Gallantry and Active Service Medals, No. 34 of 1926” and with the approval of the Council of Ministers, do hereby order the enactment of the following Regulations:- Article 1 The Gallantry Medal shall be of the following shape: White silver disc, 1 ¼ inches diameter and 1/16th inch thickness, with two white triangular silver wings, each composed of eleven feathers attached to its lower sides, the bases of the wings being fixed on the circumference of the disc. On one side of the disc shall be written “For Gallantry” and on the other side the name of His Majesty King “Faisal 1”.The ribbon from which the medal is suspended shall be as follows: A piece of silk one square inch in size, the middle half of which shall be of dark red and the two side quarters black.If the medal is granted more than once, a silver star with seven rays ½ centimetre shall be attached to the middle of the ribbon each time the grant of this medal is repeated, thus one star, two stars, three stars and so forth respectively. Article 2 The General Service Medal shall be of the following shape: Bronze disc, 1 ¼ inches diameter and 1/16th inch thickness, with a crescent at the bottom part and above it circular wreath open at the top. The disc is fixed upon two crossed rifles with their muzzles appearing at the top and their butts at the bottom of the disc.The imaginary point of junction is the centre of the disc. At the top of the disc there shall be a radiation of nine lance points with its base fixed on the circumference of the disc and its top attached to the ribbon holder. On one side of the disc inside the wreath shall be written “General Service”(in Arabic) and on the other side the name of His majesty King “Faisal 1” and the Hijrah date of creating the medal.The ribbon shall be as follows: A piece of silk, 1 ½ inches long and 1 ¼ inches breadth. The two side quarters of the piece shall be of green colour and the middle half white.If the grant of this medal is repeated a silver clasp one-centimetre width shall be fixed to the ribbon on which shall be written the name and date of the campaign. This shall be repeated each time the medal is granted. Article 3 The General Service Medal shall be worn next to the Gallantry Medal following the Iraq Orders and before of any other Iraq Medals on the left side of the chest. Article 4 The regulations for the execution of Law for the Creation of Gallantry and Active Service Medals, No.1 dated 8th February 1927 are hereby cancelled. Article 5 These regulations shall take effect from the date of their publication in the Iraq Government Gazette. Article 6 The Ministers are charged with execution of these Regulations. Made at Baghdad this 19th day of March, 1927, and the 16th day of Ramadhan, 1345. FAISAL JA’FAR AL ‘ASKARI RASHID ALI YASIN AL HASHIMI Prime Minister Minister of Interior Minister of Finance & Minister of Foreign Affairs RAUF AL CHADIRICHI NURI AL SA’ID MUHD. AMIN ZAKI Minister of Justice Minister of Defence Minister of Comms. & Works “ABDUL MHADI AMIN ‘ALI Minister of Education Minister of Awqaf (Published in the Waqayi al Iraqiya No. 524 dated 27-3-27)

Lorenzo, No idea as to how many were awarded but whilst the clasp Southern Kurdistan is scarce, with patience, it will appear - the other clasps are like hen's teeth.The medal and clasps are as follows:: Heading English Arabic Transliteration Obverse General Service الخدمة العامة Al Khidmat Al A`ama Reverse Faisal The First 1344 فيصل الأول 1344 Faisal Al `Awal Clasp Southern Kurdistan 1930-31 كردستان الجنوبية 1930 - 31 Kurdistan Al Jenubiya Barzan 1932 بارزان 1932 Barzan Tiyareen Campaign 1933 حركات التيارين 1933 Harkat Al Tiyareen Euphrates Campaign 1935 حركات الفرات 1935 Harkat Al Furat Euphrates Campaign 1936 حركات الفرات 1936 Harkat Al Furat Regards, Owain

Lorenzo, Please accept my apologies for confusing the prices paid for these medals. As you rightly say the time to buy was in the mid-1990s and indeed I was fortunate to build up the bulk of my collection then and prior to the 2003 invasion. It would appear that following 2003 Iraqi awards became more popular and as demand increased supply decreased the few vendors in Baghdad have decided to milk us, the collectors, for what they can - and of course I cannot blame them for doing so. Prices from Iraqi sources do not reflect prices in Europe or US. However the dilemma that collectors face is that we are usually unable to forgo the opportunity of further acquisitions for financial prudence. I have colleagues in Kabul who suffer from the same dilemma. Indeed Afghan awards are even less researched than Arab awards and have little or no value in the West - relatively speaking. There is a vendor in Dubai of such awards amongst loads of other jewellery and junk - he is an Afghan and his attitude, very similar to vendors in Iraq and some I have known in Yemen, is that as Westerner you can afford to pay (and preferably through the nose)! Of course there are only relatively few collectors of Arab or indeed Iraqi awards and I try and manage vendors expectations by only ever buying one example of each award thereby making sure the vendor will not expect me to buy anything and everything - if only my pocket would allow me to do so. This coming weekend I had planned to go hunting for medals in Sana' and then decided that visiting Yemen was not a good idea and then planned to go to Cairo - again not a good idea, and thus I am off to Muscat - a nice place but next to no medals! Kind regards, Owain