paul wood

Austrian silver marks were not dated. It is the style of marks for 1866-1922. Lovely Merit medal. Paul

Owain, I would tend to agree with you, it's clearly not a Rothe collector's piece as it was produced prior to 1922. I suspect these were awarded by Hilmi to Germans and Turks hoping they would help him re-establish his position. Certainly the quality is good. All the best, Paul

Frank, I would totally agree for a July Monarchy Knight's badge this is, if anything, in above average condition, I have seen examples in considerably worse state. Well done in getting it All the best, Paul

It's the Its the Municipility of Herzele's medal for the 50th anniversary of Liberation in 1994. Paul

Can't see anything obviously wrong with it. Paul

All one can say is that it was issued between 1937-48 so there is a fair chance it is WWII issue. Paul

I have searched the Gazette using various options form 1936-39 and also published sources which list all MIDs from 1/1/39. Not a trace of him. Paul

Looking at it everything looks 100% fine, yes it is pure sterling silver, alas I don't have a loose one to hand to weigh. As to the ribbon, it is the original one that it was issued with. If you are selling it keep it with it then the new owner will have the option to re-ribbon it if he so desires. All the best Paul

Definitely not, his face was far chubbier in his youth, the Johanniter order would suggest a German (many Germans served in the Russian Army, in fact a member of the Baden family served with the Russian Army and was awarded the Order of St. George 4th Class for the Caucasus Campaign). Paul

Top star is definitely St. Stanislaus, bottom either Anne or Vladimir, picture looks circa 1860 Paul

Its the Greek Royal Naval Award, Alpha (or First Class), that's what it says on the medal but I am sure our Hellenic friends can enlarge. Paul

Mervyn, The man formally of Englands Lane Hampstead and latterly at Leighton-Buzzard, who's company name was of a piscean nature. Give old "honest" Bob my best when you see him, he will remember me from my Sotheby's days. Paul

Have you got his service papers? was he APC for the duration of WWII. Paul

Just received and read (and re-read) Demir's book a superbly put together book that must have involved a gargantuan amount of research and dispels many "urban myths" related to the medal. It is nice to see so much meticulous detail, were all medal research books as good as this. I think Demir ought to get a special GMIC award and I hope he is working on other projects relating to Turkish awards. If you haven't got one get it. All the best, Paul

Mervyn, I am afraid that the coin dealer has it wrong. The first piece known as a "Birmingham Sovereign" is an imitation of a regal guinea, these were made in the early 19th century and the legends were changed from the correct ones found on the official issues in order to avoid potential forgery charges. They originally came in tubes of 50 or 100 and were used as gambling chips for card games and the like. The same is true for the model half sovereign, these were issued bearing various dates from the 1840's to 1870's and served the same role as the imitation guinea. The originals of these were issued in about 1841 as commemoratives for the birth of Albert Edward Prince of Wales, again, I suspect they were sold in 50's or 100's but unlike the earlier piece I have never encountered an original tube. As to value, I am afraid virtually nothing. Hope this is of help, All the best, Paul

If you have I would be most interested (I had use the type 2 as a standby). Paul

God those infernal Chinese fakers will be faking British WWII medals next (probably already have). Paul

For that sort of period probably Edward Schramm who was a Faberge workman. First Russian Aftab I have seen. I thought they were mostly French made. Paul Paul

The Medal will be silver but it is unlikely (not impossible) to be hallmarked. Paul

Yours appears to be the the earlier Nicholas II type. While not common they are not hugely rare but it least your piece from the illustration appears to be genuine. Paul

It should be H.M.S. (Her Majesties) Paul

It is a perfectly nice medal. The expedition saw little actual fighting it was more a punitive expedition and like all frontier campaigns the tribesman were very good at disappearing into the mountains. The North West Frontier clasp to the India general service was awarded for 16 different campaigns between 1849-68. All the best, Paul

It is definitely George V as Prince of Wales. In fact Alfonso XIII was king prior to his birth (thankfully they didn't perform a coronation ceremony then). I didn't realise that George V was so short as Alfonso wasn't on the tall side Paul

Your man took part in the expedition against the Bazoti Black Mountain tribes 3-22 October 1868 under Major General A.T. Wilde, 720 men from the regiment received the medal. All the best, Paul

Herman, The medal itself looks fine. The naming on the rim will either be British Army if named in capitals, if named in running script it will be Indian army. If you can either tell me what it says on the edge or send a good scan I can tell you which of the many campaigns he served in. Paul