paul wood

Hasn't sold the dime yet, at least that's genuine. Paul

He's still got his lucky dime. While we have all got caught out at least once in our lives, whoever falls for that one deserves to be screwed. Paul

Amazing photo, definitely awarded for honourable participation in the 1913 Shanghai International Moustache Exhibition (Kitchener represented the British Army in the same exhibition). Paul

Fantastic Igor, most useful. Paul

I would agree with Igor. Russian manufacured pieces are either in gold or from about 1916 in bronze gilt, in all cases should be marked. Nex time bribe the care take with bottle of old and rare to let you have a look at it. Paul

No enamel loss definitely Merit Cross with Swords, Paul

Andreas it is the Silver Merit Cross with Swords of the Order of St. Alexander, unfortunately it is difficult to suggest an exact time for issue, although given that the silver appears to be of good quality probably pre 1918. Paul

Mervyn thank you for your reply, Yes the piece is in good gold and struck from locally made dies, there are about 4 varieties known, each unique or a very few known. I think you suggestin about Indian Chief badges makes sense as they are known in the USA and Canada. These are all imitations of Mexican issues so my suggestion is that they would come from an area that came under the Viceroyalty of Mexico, this included some of Central America, present day Mexico, California, Texas and Florida and I would have thought given the crudity not too close to the centre of government in Mexico City. Paul

Spaz, should have asked me first, its an aftercast of a medal by Ciovanni Francisco Enzola (active circa 1450-75) commemorating the marriage of Constanzo Sforza, Lord of Pesaro and Camilla of Aragon, 1475. Interestingly there is written music from the wedding still surviving. Paul

Peter, The gentleman at the Portuguese mint was producing various forgeries which were recycled in various auction houses. I suspect this was a prototype for his industrial merit using the body of a lion and sun, he also produced type 1 agricultural merits and early tower and swords. He sent some pieces to me and when I told him they were wrong he challenged me to a duel. Just before he was rumbled he took a one way passage to South America where presumably he is still living. Paul

Perhaps he imitated Christ and rose from the dead and then bred unicorns on the Hungarian plains. I wonder how many divs will fall for that one. Paul

Yesterday I purchased in the Archer Huntington Collection of Spanish Colonial coins a native Indian Imitation of a Carlos III 8 escudos 1770 (or 1772) from the Mexico City Mint (illustrated for comparism is a genuine piece), interstingly it weighs within the parameters of a genuine coins. Apart from it being a fantastic piece of native American art, made by someone unfamiliar with the Western alphabet. What was it's purpose?. These pieces are extremely rare, with only a small number known, an unpierced example appeared in a recent auction in America. Given that it is so different from the original item to be a plausible forgery what is its purpose. Is it a ceremonial piece?, a medal worn by someone of status or a coinage made from locally produced gold made to pay taxes? I certainly intend to research this as much as I can does anyone have any knowledge of Native american arts and traditions or kmow of any websites where I may be able to find assistance. I believe the area it covers is from Central America to the West coast of the USA. I hope you enjoy it and any ideas anyone has are most welcome. All the best, Paul

Does Chris really look like this? Paul

I admire Lance Armstrong, it's amazing what he did winning the Tour de France, last time I was on drugs I couldn't even find my bike. Paul

I wonder If this is the Henry Nash Webber, born Glen Lynden Easter Cape 1879, died Aberdeen Eastern Cape 1960, He is the only South African from that period with this name so I would have thought quite likely. Paul

Mervyn, What does an Afrihander bull look like? Paul

In my Opinion it's a funny the centre is that of the Portuguese Order of Industrial Merit, the remainder of the star is that of the Persian Lion and Sun 1st Class. It may be a concoction made about 20 or so years ago by a disgraced former employee of the Portuguese mint. Paul

See http://www.finnmedals.net/Tolvajaervi-Cross-earliest-type for more information. Paul

I wonder where it will all end, a Spanish Armada Medal for descendents of those who served with Drake, War of Spanish Succession General Service for descendents of those who served im Malbrough's campaigns. I am worried about these retrospective medals and other associated bling. It is so sad on Remembrance Sunday to see a WWII veteran with a couple of stars and a War and Defence Medal one side and a chestful of bling on the other. We used think that a British serviceman with 4 medals in the 1980's had had a very long and distinguished military career. We would laugh at other countries where if you served a few years you had a couple of rows of medals , many awarded for just turning up. I am worried that all these retrospective and unoffical medals will end up devaluing the hard earned original medals That my twopennies worth and I am sure many of you will heartily disagree. All the best. Paul

Ralph, Most interesting, especially with the original box. Do these rings and chains turn up frequently? I have seen hundreds of the iron medal for giving up gold and jewellery for the war effort. I wonder if there was ever the case of a wife saying "You did what with my wedding ring!" Paul

Rob, ignore previous PM I saw some similar envelopes for the republic type 1 MSMs and LSGCs (short-lived and soon replaced by by pieces which bore less resemblance to the British India examples). Still very nice. I assume the WWI medals must have been forwarded by registered mail similar to the British issues, while you see British ones with original forwarding envelope and documents I have yet to find an Indian group thus. If any one has seen Indian WWI medals as originally forwarded I would be extremely interested to know. Paul

After a recent vote in the House of Commons more similar than you think. Paul

Mervyn, I was implying that left wing fire brands end up as pillars of the establishment . What are the odds of Hain getting a seat in the House of Lords in the future, quite high I would suggest. All the best, Paul

What an extremely interesting series of postings, I have learnt quite a lot Keep posting them. Paul