IVB

Bronze Cross:

Hello, Richard! Can we see your collection of Zimbabwe awards here?

Hello, gents!

This badge seems to be an award of the Union "Veterans of Afghan War". But I'm not sure.

Here is webpage of this Union http://www.afganwar.md/russian/brotherhood.htm.

There are two medals of "Association of the Veterans of Local Wars and Armed Conflicts of the Republic of Moldova" - "15 years of Withdrawal Soviet Troops from Afghanistan" and "For Brotherhood in Arms". And one badge "Veteran of the War in Afghanistan", central part of which similar to other badges that you have seen and to badge post by Ed.

Nazarbaev:

Regards, IVB.

Order "The First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev" ("Қазақстан Республикасының Тұңғыш Президенті Нұрсұлтан Назарбаев" Ордені)

Collar:

Saddam with unknown for me order:

Thank you, James for the great pictures!

On this photo Sobhusa II with order on the sash. It's first time I've seen that man wears the order without cloth!

Regards, IVB.

Next

Robert Mugabe

2002. Kofi Annan received The Most Courteous Order of Lesotho (KMCOL).

Kyrgyzstan system of awards:

http://rapidshare.de/files/40533160/Kyrgyzstan_ODM.pdf.html

PDF, 6 Mb.

All that I have on Moldova ODM:

http://rapidshare.de/files/40532192/Moldova_ODM.pdf.html

PDF file, ~8,5 Mb.

Is this the same alloy as Tombac?

Yes.

And small photo of unknown order from personal exhibition of Semen Adanik - moldavian artist and designer of national awards.

Regards, IVB.

I think "gratitude" would be a better translation of "recunoştinţă".

Thanks, you are right, of course.

Order made of gilt "tompac". Diameter ? 40 mm. It has form of stylized convex rayed cross. In the center is circular silver medallion with child, woman and man. Around is inscription "Recunoştinţa Patriei", in the bottom is national flag of Moldova in natural colors. Cross is imposed into laurel wreath in relief. Badge of order attached to metal bar with enamels of blue, yellow and red colors. In the center of the bar is image of the flower in relief.

This decoration seems to have a surprisingly high precedence to the type of award you describe. Any particular reason for this?

I don't know about reason, may be bad demographic situation? :)

Recunoştinţa = Recognition.

Order of Recognition of the Fatherland awarded to persons who born and take care of five or more children, after the moment when last will be 16 years old.

I have some more information about this order in Russian, I will translate it and put here next day.

Badge of the State Prize Laureat (Laureat al Premiului de Stat):

Regards, IVB.

Medal for Irreproachable Service in the Ministry of Interior

Three grades:

Medalia Pentru Serviciul Impecabil in Armata Nationala (Medal for Long Service in the National Armed Forces)

Three grades:

Medalia ?Nicolae Testemiţanu?

Ordinul Credinta Patriei (Order of Loyalty to the Fatherland):

1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees:

Order of Honour

On the photo is Vladimir Philipov, awarded with order 02.10.2006:

Ordinul de Onoare (or the Order of Honour)

James Hoard

This is Order of the Republic:

Medal for Exceptional Bravery:

Medals:

http://www.mndf.gov.mv/medals.asp