paul wood

A very nice example of the medal. I notice that at the top of the medal, both sides there is a weakness which suggests that it may have sometimes been mounted for wearing. Is this the case? Or is it just a weakness in the strike. If the former then it could have been worn by the recipient with pride. A good and very interesting purchase. Paul

Andy many thanks for that. I have always thought that the short lived order of Milosh the Great is one of the most beautiful European orders. Paul

Many thanks Andy. First Milosh case I have ever seen. Does it have a maker's name inside the lid, I believe Fischmeister made the majority of them. All the best, Paul

For your Info. It sold for ?1,150 and the gentleman who bought it was absolutely delighted with it. Paul

ANS part 3 Morton and Eden 26/4/07 lot 239. Image available WWWMortonandeden.com. follow links for past sales. All the best, Paul

Nice little group of Obrenovich material. Any chance of detailed images of the Milosh and the case and also the Takowa medal and case. Many thanks Paul

The one on the far right (red and blue sash) is the Liberian Order of the Star of Africa. Paul

There are some fantastic orders there. My favourite is the Order of St Michel awarde by Louis XIV to the Dutch merchant Huydecouper, mid 17th century with original bestowal document. Paul

Dear Christophe, What an interesting photograph of the erstwhile Duke of Albany, must have been taken late 1930's or early 1940's Paul

As it is marked 14K it would suggest that is of US production probably for a lodge of expatriate Scots (Many Scots emigrated to the U.S.A. in the 18th and 19th century). It may be worth contacting and American masonic website for more detailed information. Masonic jewellery is not heavily collected possibly worth trying E-bay once you have more information about the piece. All the best, Paul

What an extremely nice example of the Merit Decoration of the Order of the Sword. Much harder to come by than the Knight's badge. Paul

I have seen 3 or 4 in my time but have never seen one that has obviously been worn but the tradition of medals (apart from orders) for wearing really did not occur until the latter part of the 18th century, one only has to look at the Louisburg and Germantown medals, or the 17th century naval rewards that they were issued as table medals, one does see from time to time medals which have been adapted for wear by having a loop adapted, especially on the first two mentioned and it is more than probable that some of these medas were similarly adapted. There is another medal of this era issued by the Dutch for the suppression of the Amsterdam Riots, 1696 and presented to the Civic Guard. It came in gold and silver, 58, 46 and 39 mm, the larger designed by Jan Luder, the smaller by Jan Boskam. The obverse depict Neptune in a chariot pulled by two sea horses on a stormy sea, MOTOS PRAESTAT COMPONERE FLVCTVS above, reverse a nest with two doves on a calm sea, sun setting on the horizon, within a central scroll HALCYONIBUS REDVCTIS SENATVS AMSTELOD. CIVIBVS. SVIS. HOC ANTIQVAEVIRTVTIS SPECTATAEQ. FIDEI PRAEMIVM. LARGITVR. I have seen several of these medals and I know of a gold one which appeared in a Dutch auction many years ago. The silver examples are not uncommom especially in the smaller size and a reasonable example of such should be obtainable for no more than ?300. Hope this is of interest, Paul

Dear all, You will pleased to know that I have cracked this one (I have already contacted veteran privately) but I thought you might be interested to know all about it. It is a silver "table medal" with the arms of the University of Groningen one side and a dedicatory inscription on the other. It is illustrated in van Loon (to which I have access) vol. III, p. 96 (French edition), pages 95-96 give the full account of the actions in which the students were involved, here is the pertinant piece "...les noms de tous les etudians qui avoient pris des armes; & on leur donna a chacun, en reconnoissance de leur fidelite, un medal d'argent, semblable a ce quelle voici." (line drawing below of the piece). Having dealt with a large number of 16th-18th century Dutch table medals I would anticipate (as was the custom then) that there would be a gold striking presented either to the head of the university or the university itself. One such piece appeared recently in a Kunker of Osnabruck auction and sold for ?800 (excluding premium). I hope that this is of interest to fellow members. All the best, Paul

The siege of Groningen produced many medallic issues, including many engraves silver discs (some of amazing quality) siege coins with the reverses engraved and normal commemorative medals. The best reference for the medallic issues is Gerhard van Loon's work on the Low Countries which was published between 1732 and 1737 and is still the standard reference on Low Countries medals from 1519-1706. Much of the knowledge that we get of these award medals is from him. It is quite possible that you may be able to access it in some national library and I am sure that it would clarify which was the medal presented to the students. All the best, Paul

Hendrick, Many thanks for enlightening me. Paul

Alex, Lovely to see those original crowns a real set of gems. Enjoy Paul

Ex A.N.S. 2 Morton and Eden 25-26/10/06 lot 623 part. I remember it well, unfortunately no other provenace but probably came thier way about 100 years ago. All the best, Paul

Dear Hendrick, I may be as thick as the proverbial short planks but how do we know these unofficial badges are French, you would have thought the cockerel would have been at 12 o' clock. Just curious. Paul

The smaller piece is the insignia of the the Gatchinsky Aviation School founded 1910 according to Werlich Jetons of Imperial Russia fig J-90 or had the the late great got it wrong. Paul