paul wood

I would suspect, although can't confirm that the Indian tins may have had a different insert but I have not been able to clarify that. The information I have on these tins was from a girl who worked as temp for us who, until she had children, worked for the Imperial War Museum. Paul

on the subject of tins still looking for a WWI Princess Mary's tin as given to Indian units and containing chupatti flour. I doubt if very many have survived. Paul

Roll has Captain Shaw's Co no 1 for 1st Batt. 4th Foot but not in the Waterloo Roll call but in the 1815 Army list as large as life. Hope this is of some help, presumably HP after Waterloo. Paul

That weight would include the enamel and it is unlikely that the gold would be higher than 18 carat and possibly lower as high grade gold would be innapropriate for wearing purposes (you very rarely see jewellery at higher than 18 carat). I cannot see it at anything like $2,000 melt, I am also wondering whether the 2.3 is avioir de poids rather than troy. Paul

See Collignon Ordres de Chevalerie, 2004 fig 209 for an identical Second Empire piece. His price makes even rip-off dealers seem like bargain basement. Paul

BBM states 36 medals were issued to Civilian Doctors. Could well have been a missionary doctor based in the Gold Coast. Paul

Oddly enough ZAR coins are more common in the UK than in South Africa as many were bought home by British troops as souvenirs. some are defaced by engraving hat and pipe in Krugers mouth and many of the gold ponds and half-ponds were mounted as watch fobs. The sixpences are relatively common and are worth in the condition yours are in about ?5, the 5 shillings unfortunately has been devalued by the solder mark, undamaged it would be ?100 in the condition your piece is damaged thus perhaps ?20-30. Hope this is of help. Paul

Given the quality I would have thought pre-great war. Paul

Apologies a case of dyslexic typing rather than mistaken identification on my part. Paul

Royal Engineers balooning section. Balloons were used for recconnaissance by the British up until South East Asia 45-46. Paul

Worth trying the national archives web site. Paul

Have seen several of these fellows around ussually at around $30, cheap costume jewelry. Paul

Horrible thought is I have probably given the odd one to the barman at the time when they look like 2 20p pieces but thanks for the info most hepful (there will still be people hugely dissappointed when they are not worth ?thousands). Paul

wwwmortonandeden.com. and follow the links. 26 April 2007. The plates are seperate in J Peg form. I just tried accessing it without much difficulty. All the best, Paul

Dear Veteran, According to Count Emeric Hutten-Czapski's monumental 5 volume work on the coins and medals of Poland. Published in the late 19th century and reprinted in Graz in the 1970's The medal by Heinrich Freidrich Wemuth according to Czapski was "frappee pour la fete de L'Aigle Blanc anniversaire de la fete du Roi". There is a similar piece to this listed by him but dated 1751. It is most certainly a commemorative medal and is listed as R1 by Czapski which means not common but not rare (R8 is the highest grade of rarity which is unique). So presumably all the guests at the jollification received the medal as a gift. I hope this is of help, All the best, Paul

Sorry for the muck ups couldn't seem to type a reply on your message. Red outer stripes with a very watery green centre, see ANS 3 where we had a virtual set of them. Also the third class badge is the only piece of insignia worn as a neckbadge, the Second is worn as a sash badge, while the fourth is worn as a breast badge. All the best, Paul

Pavel, I smell a bare tailed brown coloured rodent. The suspension ring has a 1908-17 kokoshnik, Julius was court supplier of Orders from 1862 until his death in 1882. therefore one would expect to see the St Petersburg hall mark as used prior to 1898, occaisionaqlly but not always dated. The size is inconsistent with any official Russian production and the enamel colouring does not look quite right. It looks like the work of the North German school, which I believe source from Russia. Many a German collection which I have handled has been bedevilled with these works, which to the untutored can seem plausable but when placed under detailed scrutiny fail to measure up. What you also have to realise is that in the 50's and 60's there were still people who worked on the production of Imperial Orders alive and well and who still possessed the skills and some of the copies (which are extremely dangerous) are composite combining genuine elements with faked elements (a bit like the furnniture trade where one wormed Jacobean table can make eight new ones). I would certainly avoid this piece like the plague. Paul

Mike, I would suggest it dates from the late third to early fourth quarter of the 19th century, given the reverse suspension, certainly a very early specimen of Da Costa's work. Interestingly as the Order of Villa Vicosa is a Dynastic award it is still awarded by the head of the Portuguese royal house the Duke of Braganza. See Bader van Duren for more information. As yours is a nice early and good quality piece I would reckon it at around ?400-600. If two or more Potuguese buyers decided it was amust have for their collection as they did not have an example of this variety then I believe it could make somewhat. All in all what you have is a most interesting piece of insignia of the Order. All the best, Paul

Dear Artan, What you say about the exile awards being just diplomas now makes sense. In the Izzet Said Khourchid group of Orders and decorations (he was a Lebanese diplomat) Morton and Eden 3 July 2008, lot 71, there was a warrant for the Commander's neck badge of the Order of Skanderbeg, Alexandria 19 January 1952 but no insignia. Concerning the Italian occupation are you saying that unissued Zog pieces were still awarded, even though there was the Italian occupation variety of the various national orders? Or am I completely barking up the wrong tree. All the best, Paul

Mike there appears to be a makers name and possibly address an the back behind the double supension pin. If you can give me the details I should be able to date within 10-20 years. Look forward to hearing from you, Paul