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The medal / medalet with the green and red ribbon is to my mind a souvenir or momento. I believe the inscription is from the Koran. Many of these were manufactured in Egypt and I have seen various examples bearing either inscriptions on both sides or even the head of Nasser, Ghadafi of Libya, Nimeiry of Sudan and even Imam Yahya of Yemen. The floral / leaf circular design appears to be common to most of these items. Despite what EBay vendors think - they should be cheap and cheerful. Owain

To date I cannot find an image - I'll see if I can scan my example over the next weekend. Owain

Lorenzo, This is, I believe, a genuine piece - I was offered one years ago - possibly even this piece, but cannot recall what it is for - I will need to look up my paper records to see what, if anything, I have on it. Owain

Lorenzo, I think the top flag reads, "Border Force Victory from God and Victory Soon 24th xx 1394" and the black flag, "Oh Hussain" The latter is a Shia mourning or processional flag. Owain.

Gentlemen, We appear to be in agreement that it is from the Comoros or more specifically from Anjouan. My own view is that the inscription is not entirely the same as the better made French manufactuired pieces - although at initial glance the word "hakim" (ruler) is common to both. The Arabic script in the French manufactured pieces is almost illegible or incomprehensible as it has been included into the design of the award by persons unfamiliar with Arabic script. Whilst some of the Arabic on the piece in discussion is illegible it does appear to have been inscribed, however crudely, by an Arabic speaker - the construction of the word "shuja'a "(bravery) is spot on. To dismiss this peice a "nothing" is unwise. To my mind it is not a fake rather a locally manufactured piece serving some purpose - perhaps the words "bravery" and "obedience" give some indication that it was made specificaly to reward some action - these words are definitely not included on the European manufactured awards. A nice locally manufactured piece which would go well in my collection (ha!) - plenty of research potential although I doubt whether the real story will ever really appear! Owain PS. Is the piece silver?

As a follow up: Outside, right to left: " ?? - shuja'a - muta'a" = "?? - bravery - obedience". Centre top to bottom: "??- allah muwan abd - allah hakim ??" = ??* allah Muwan Abdullah Ruler ??" (*first part of name ending in allah?) Date 1305 = 19 September 1887 - 6 September 1888. Owain

Good morning from Riyadh! The top word is "shuja'a" which is "bravery" - I will need to work on the rest which is not clear at all. Note it is not "for bravery" which in Arabic would read "lilshuja'a" and thus may be part of a three word motto on the outer circle. The crescent and hand design is reminiscent of the Comoros. Regards, Owain. As a follow up: Outside, right to left: " ?? - shuja'a - muta'a" = "?? - bravery - obedience". Centre top to bottom: "??- allah muwan abd - allah hakim ??" = ??* allah Muwan Abdullah Ruler ??" (*first part of name ending in allah?) Date 1305 = 19 September 1887 - 6 September 1888.

Wil, On looking at BB&M wef 1917 the clasps are: Lau Nuer (27/2-25/4) Nyima 1917-18 (5/4/17-21/2/18) Atwot 1918 (13/3-25/5) Garjak Nuer (13-16/5 1919 & 16/1-26/4/1920) Aliab Dinka (8/11/1919- 6/5/1920) Nyala (26/9/1921-20/1/1922) Nyala 1921 (26/9-22/11) Darfur 1921 (26/9-22/11) I suspect your fine examples are combination pieces not awarded examples ........unless of course they are named........ Owain

Nice one Wil! To check the feasibilty of the clasp combinations you should see if the clasps are appropriate to the type of medal - i.e. on the second type (Fouad the First) all clasps should be post 1917 which is when he succeeded Sultan Hussain Kamel. Owain

The reverse is definitely the 1958 United Arab Republic medal, however the obverse should be a map of the Middle East - can you advise if the obverse on you piece is cast as part of the medal or is a separate piece which has been affixed to the medal. Regards, Owain

Greetings from Riyadh! I detail below a list of what should be included in a Egyptian collection - I am sure I have mised a few items but at least you have an idea of what you should get. Some of this is very dificult to get hold of and as with all series of awards there are various variations and types. As for prices - not cheap. I hope this helps. Owain KHEDIVATE Order of Mohammed Ali Order of Felaha 1882 Bronze Star 1897 Sudan Medal 1911 Sudan Medal 1913 Bravery Medal MONARCHY The Order of Mohammed Ali The Order of Mohammed Ali Medal for Bravery The Order (Collar) of Fouad I The Order of The Nile The Order of Ismail The Order of Al Kemal Military Star of Fouad I Medal for Meritorious Acts Medal for Devotion to Duty The Order of Agriculture The Order of Public Instruction The Order of Industry & Commerce Civil Bravery Medal 1948 Palestine War Medal Mohammed Ali Centenary Medal Royal Guard Commemorative Medal Prince Kamal Al Din Hussain Medal King Fouad Bienveillance Medal King Farouk Coronation Medal Shooting Medal REPUBLIC The Order of the Nile The Order of the Republic The Order of Merit The Order of Independence The Order of Honour The Order of Labour The Order of Agriculture The Order of Public Instruction The Order of Industry & Commerce The Order of Sport The Order of El Kemal Sinai Star Star of Honour Liberation Star (Army & Police) Liberation Medal Military Star Mobilization Medal Shooting Medal Bravery Medal (Military & Civil) Medal of The Republic Distinguished Service Medal Medal for Merit Evacuation Medal Military Medal of Independence Medal for Devotion to Duty (Military & Civil) Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Medal of Special Promotion Training Medal Medal for War Wounded Victory Medal United Arab Republic Medal 6th October Medal Sinai Liberation Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal 10th Anniversary of the Revolution Medal 20th Anniversary of the Revolution Medal Army Day Medal Navy Day Medal Air Force Silver Jubilee Medal Air Force Golden Jubilee Medal Air Defence Force Day Medal

3rd medal posted 10 March : Obverse "Mr. Saddam Hussain President of the Repblic of Iraq" Reverse "Ministry of Politcial Affairs" Probably a souvenir piece. Regards, Owain.

Bob, Obverse A five pointed star with two crossed rifles across the two lower arms of the star. Across the two horizontal arms the raised inscription, “Hero of Yemen” Reverse Recessed and plain other than mounting for crossed rifles. Size 31mm diameter in bronze-gilt, of Hungarian manufacture. Ribbon 21mm - equal stripes of black, white and red. An enamel shield 8mm x 10mm, of the colours of the P.D.R.Y. is affixed to the centre of the ribbon. Suspension A narrow bar affixed by a central “V” by a link to a loop on the uppermost arm of the star. This award is similar in style to such “Hero” stars issued by other communist bloc countries and would have been senior to many other awards Owain

Dear Vorbeste, Following the departure of the colonial power a major pre-occupation of the new rulers of South Yemen was the removal of all traces of the colonial rule and the historic structure it had supported. Thus all federal rulers were deposed and their land and property confiscated. The former protectorate states were re-grouped into six numbered governates: 1st Aden, 2nd Lahej, 3rd Abyan, 4th Shabwa, 5th Hadhramaut and 6th Al Mahra. It appears that at least three of these governates, Abyan, Shabwa and Hadhramaut issued medals and it is possible that all six did but evidence for the others is not known. Your medal is the Abyan issue: Obverse A circular medal bearing a shield with a border in the colours of the flag of the P.D.R.Y. and at the bottom of the border the bilingual inscription “Abyan Gov.” In the centre a design consisting of mountains, coffee and sea flanked by foliage. On either side of the shield the bilingual inscription, “P.D.R. Yemen”. Reverse Blank other than the circular bilingual inscription, “People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen” I hope this helps, Regards, Owain

Greg, This is the Order of Al Said of Oman. Owain

Emmanuel, This is the Abdulaziz Collar - the Badr Collar is for Muslim heads of state only. Owain

Elvis, This is the Algerian Wound Medal - I am assuming, but to be confirmed, that the single stripe issue is for one wound and that further stripes & star indicate further wounds. Regards, Owain

Chris et al, Great photo and as you say one of the few, if only one, with decorations being worn - taken during a visit to Belgrade: Collar of the Nile - 1953. Sash & Star of the Grand Cordon of the Nile Star of the Order of the Republic. Star of the Yugoslav Order of the Great Star. Medals Order of Liberation - Officers issue. Military Star x 2 (one of these may have been isseud in 1948 and thus the royal issue - Chris?) 1948 War Medal - republican issue with reversed medal. 1949 Mohammed Ali Centenary Medal (without suspension wreath) - also reversed to obscure monarch. Regards, Owain

Gentlemen, This has long been a mystery but I am pleased to advise this is the Algerian Wound Medal - the ribbon is incorrect and should be white and red. Owain

The lower Arabic translates as "The Nejdah Police". Regards, Owain

Demir, This is highly informative - with my limited Arabic I try to decipher such inscriptions . Your diagrammatic breakdown is of great value - thanks for the tutorial. Owainl

According to one of my staff this is in Geez not Amharic and is a certificate in the name of Halie Selassie awarding the Order of the Star Knight (5th class) to a Captain Costa Ulseevich (Transliteraion?) & issued by the Defence Ministry Hope this helps, Owain

The inventiveness of modern Iraqi awards never ceases to amaze - the only more amazing thing is the vendors ability to price himself out of the market! Owain

Gentlemen, I have a sneaking suspicion that these medals are Algerian wounded awards - but need confirmation. Owain[

Gentlemen, This is a military college award from the United Arab Republic. Owain