Linasl

Greetings All. I have just acquired what, for lack of a better term, I call a "Simon Bolivar Ribboned Medal". I assume it is from Venezuela and it states "SIMON BOLIVAR" on the front. Several points: a. I don't know the metal used, but there are signs of tarnish on the star "rays" - any ideas?; b. it does not mention Venezuela - instead on the reverse, in the banner it only says "15 DE ABRIL 1810" + "LIBERTAD" + "5 DE JULIO 1811": c. the Coat of Arms on THIS Medal is the same as other Venezuelan medals I have, so I assume it is Venezuelan, but of quite high quality; d. there is a punch/hallmark on the front "bulb" that holds the ribbon ring in the shape of a curved rectangle. I have attached a low resolution photo to this post, but have higher resolution (with and without flash) photos on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...bboned%20Medal/ I don't know much about South American Medals, so if you do recognize this Breast Star, I have several questions: 1. Does it appear to be authentic (I assume so)? a. do you know what metal was used? 2. If yes, around what time period was it issued? 3. For what (is) it issued - who can receive it? 4. In how many classes does (did) it come? 5. Do you recognize the mintmark? 6. Is it rare? Any other information would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Take care. Linas

Greetings All. Several weeks ago I posted what I was told was a "Simon Bolivar Breast Star," but what corrected on this forum and informed it was the "Venezuelan Order of the Liberator". You can see the post topic here: http://gmic.co.uk/in...=0 I have just acquired a much older Breast Star that I call, for lack of a better term, anther "Simon Bolivar Breast Star". This one is different though in several significant ways: a. it appears to be made of Silver; b. it does not mention Venezuela - instead on the front in the banner it only says "15 DE ABRIL 1810" + "LIBERTAD" + "5 DE JULIO 1811": c. the Coat of Arms on THIS Breast Star are the same, so I assume it is Venezuelan, but of much higher quality; d. there is a punch/hallmark on the reverse in the shape of a curved rectangle (I tried to photograph it using a magnifying glass and with and without flash. I have attached a low resolution photo to this post, but have higher resolution (with and without flash) photos on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...t%20Medal%20n2/ I don't know much about South American Medals, so if you do recognize this Breast Star, I have several questions: 1. Does it appear to be authentic (I assume so)? a. is it Silver? 2. If yes, around what time period was it issued? 3. For what (is) it issued - who can receive it? 4. In how many classes does (did) it come? 5. Do you recognize the mintmark? 6. Is it rare? Any other information would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Take care. Linas

Greetings. I have just acquired what I was told was the Malta Order of Merit Commander Cross. I have attached a low resulution photo to this post, but have higher resolution (with and without flash) photos on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...it%20Commander/ I don't know much about the Order of Malta, so if you do recognize this Cross, I have several questions: 1. Does it appear to be an authentic Order of Malta-related medal? 2. If yes, is it the "Merit Cross"? 3. For what (is) it issued - who can receive it? 4. In how many classes does (did) it come? Any other information would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Take care. Linas

Greetings All. I just purchased (but have not received yet) what appears to be an 1820 Imperial Russian Medal - based on the Russian Cyrillic letters used. If you recognize this medal, I have several questions: 1. Is it Russian (or Bulgarian, Serbian, etc)? 2. What was it awarded for? 3. What is the significance of the year "1820"? 4. Who was eligible to receive it (military, civil, government, foreigners, etc.)? I have attached a low resolution photo to this post, but I have higher resolution (but not that great) photos of the front and back on PhotoBucket. Here is the link: http://s752.photobuc...201820%20Medal/ Any information at all would be greatly appreciated. Take care. Linas

Thank you Alex. I though don't understand the "Time Expired" part. Can you help me? Or does it mean "Veterans"? Thanks again. Linas

Greetings All. I just purchased what I believe is a WW2 Japanese Military medal, award or insignia. I have no idea what this is for, so ANY help would be greatly appreciated. I have attached two photos, which I hope come out clear, for you to review. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Linas

Thankd Geoff, I'll do that. Take care. Linas

Thanks to both of you. It REALLY helps! Take care. Linas

Greetings All. I just bought what was described to me as a "Simon Bolivar Breast Star" - photo of front attached. On the front in the center circle it states "19 DE APRIL DE 1810" + "10 DE FEBRERODE 1859" + "INDEPENDENCIA FEDERACION E.E.O.U. DE VENEZUELA" On the reverse it suriosly has the maker's name, which is in the US, as follows : "NS. MEYER INC. NEW YORK" + "ARMY NAVY EQUIPMENT MEYER NEW YORK" in an American-style shield. It measures 84 mm long and 76 mm wide . I have several questions: 1. Is this an OFFICIAL Order of Venezuela, or is this a Fantasy piece? 2. If OFFICIAL: a. when was it issued? b. who was eligible to receive it? c. how many levels did this Order come in? d. is it still issued today? e. what do the intials "E.E.O.U." stand for that are on the front of the Breast Star? 3. I know some of the history behind Simon Bolivar and how he was the leading force behind the independence movements in a number of South American countries. Did each of these countries issue their own "Simon Bolivar" Order/Medal? 4. Why was it made by Meyer of the US? Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Take care. Linas

Hello Sergey. That is why I asked. Can you identify the badge? Linas

Hello All. I have been proposed to purchase an insignia that the seller states is an original "1819-1838 Battle of Poltava (Ukraine)" Badge. This is out of my area of expertise, so I am looking for some assistance. Also, his proposed price seems very high to me - 1200 euro. I have attached a photo to this posting, and have four photos on Photobucket, both with and without flash, here: http://s752.photobuc...AL%20or%20FAKE/ I would appreciate any assistance possible - mostly if it appears to be ORIGINAL, and what the purchase price range should be. Unfortunately I cannot provide more photos. Thank you in advance. Linas

OK Dolfek. Anyway, I appreciate whatever you can give me. Linas

Thanks Dolfek. Linas

Greetings All. I have a Imperial German Kaiser Friedrich III Medal that I know nothing about. Around the inner disc it states "Lerne Leiden Ohne Zu Klagen" which, according to the Google Translator means "Learn to Suffering Without Complaints." I have attached a low-resolution photo with this posting, but have high-resolution photos on PhotoBucket, if you follow this link: http://s752.photobuc...%20III%20Medal/ I don't know if it is Military or Civil, nor what it was awarded for, and who qualified. I do know it is from 1888, because that is the only year Friedrich was Kaiser before he died. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Linas

Greetings. I have just purchased four old Spain Orders which were apparently awarded to a single French Officer of the "Etat Major de la Marine Française" during the French Second Empire while serving in Spain during the époque of the Spanish Queen Isabelle II (the Catholic). Even though I know the dealer somewhat, I would like to verify his information and obtain more, if possible, because I know very little of these type of Orders, which are far from my primary area of collecting French medals. They are beautiful, thus my interest in purchasing them. The fourth and final is what I was told is the Spain Order of Charles III Commander's Cross. I attached a low-resolution photo to this posting, but have a high-resolution on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...20and%20Medals/ Look at medal #4 The only information the seller provided me includes : It is Vermillion-coated Silver and enamel, and the Gilt Wreath and Ribbon are replacements. The cross measures 53 mm. What I would like to know, if possible, are a number of things: 1. based on the photo, does it appear to be ORIGINAL? 2. when was this Order issued (same date as the Breast Star – 1771)? 3. when was it discontinued? 4. who was eligible to receive it (military / civil), and for what purpose/deed? 5. assuming this is ORIGINAL, would it be considered RARE (how many were awarded – even an estimate would suffice)? 6. what would you estimate is the value of this Breast Star (just to give me an idea if I paid a correct price)? Any and all information is welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Linas

Greetings. I have just purchased four old Spain Orders which were apparently awarded to a single French Officer of the "Etat Major de la Marine Française" during the French Second Empire while serving in Spain during the époque of the Spanish Queen Isabelle II (the Catholic). Even though I know the dealer somewhat, I would like to verify his information and obtain more, if possible, because I know very little of these type of Orders, which are far from my primary area of collecting French medals. They are beautiful, thus my interest in purchasing them. The third is what I was told is the Spain Order of Isabelle the Catholic Breast Star. I attached a low-resolution photo to this posting, but have a high-resolution on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...20and%20Medals/ Look at medal #3 The information the seller provided me includes : The Breast Star was instituted in 1815, for services rendered to Spain. It is Vermillion-coated Silver and enamel, with the mintmark of a "boar". It was manufactured by Halley – a highly-respected French jeweler during the French Second Empire. It measures 7cm and weighs about 60 grams. What I would like to know, if possible, are a number of things: 1. based on the photo, does it appear to be ORIGINAL? 2. does the information the seller provided by sound correct? 3. when was it discontinued? 4. who was eligible to receive it (military / civil), and for what purpose/deed? 5. assuming this is ORIGINAL, would it be considered RARE (how many were awarded – even an estimate would suffice)? 6. what would you estimate is the value of this Breast Star (just to give me an idea if I paid a correct price)? Any and all information is welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Linas

Greetings. I have just purchased four old Spain Orders which were apparently awarded to a single French Officer of the "Etat Major de la Marine Française" during the French Second Empire while serving in Spain during the époque of the Spanish Queen Isabelle II (the Catholic). Even though I know the dealer somewhat, I would like to verify his information and obtain more, if possible, because I know very little of these type of Orders, which are far from my primary area of collecting French medals. They are beautiful, thus my interest in purchasing them. The second is what I was told is the Spain Charles III Breast Star. I attached a low-resolution photo to this posting, but have a high-resolution on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...20and%20Medals/ Look at medal #2 The information the seller provided me includes : The Breast Star was instituted on 19 September 1771, by King Charles III. It was restored by Ferdinand VII after the defeat of Napoleon I. It is Silver and enamel, with the mintmark of a "boar". It was manufactured by Kretly – a highly-respected French jeweler during the French Second Empire. It measures 7.5x7cm and weighs about 60 grams. What I would like to know, if possible, are a number of things: 1. based on the photo, does it appear to be ORIGINAL? 2. does the information the seller provided by sound correct? 3. when was it discontinued? 4. who was eligible to receive it (military / civil), and for what purpose/deed? 5. assuming this is ORIGINAL, would it be considered RARE (how many were awarded – even an estimate would suffice)? 6. what would you estimate is the value of this Breast Star (just to give me an idea if I paid a correct price)? Any and all information is welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Linas

Greetings. I have just purchased four old Spain Orders which were apparently awarded to a single French Officer of the "Etat Major de la Marine Française" during the French Second Empire while serving in Spain during the époque of the Spanish Queen Isabelle II (the Catholic). Even though I know the dealer somewhat, I would like to verify his information and obtain more, if possible, because I know very little of these type of Orders, which are far from my primary area of collecting French medals. They are beautiful, thus my interest in purchasing them. The first is what I was told is the Spain Military Order of Saint Ferdinand Breast Star. I attached a low-resolution photo to this posting, but have a high-resolution on PhotoBucket at the following link: http://s752.photobuc...20and%20Medals/ Look at medal #1 The information the seller provided me includes : The Breast Star was instituted on 10 July 1815, by King Ferdinand VII after the defeat of Napoleon I. It was awarded to Officers and soldiers for exceptional military service within the army and navy. This Order was also bestowed upon French Expeditionary Corps Officers in 1823 in the battle for Trocadéro. The dealer claimed that this Breast Star is VERY RARE. It is Silver and enamel, measures about 56mm and weighs about 20 grams. What I would like to know, if possible, are a number of things: 1. based on the photo, does it appear to be ORIGINAL? 2. does the information the seller provided by sound correct? 3. when was it discontinued? 4. who was eligible to receive it (military / civil), and for what purpose/deed? 5. assuming this is ORIGINAL, would it be considered RARE (how many were awarded – even an estimate would suffice)? 6. what would you estimate is the value of this Breast Star (just to give me an idea if I paid a correct price)? Any and all information is welcome. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Linas

Thank you Noir. Linas

Hello Ed. No, I don't get the JOMSA. I live in France and postage costs are quite high. Thanks. Linas

Wow Jeff - your write-up is FANTASTIC! I really appreciate your very detailed answer. Take care. Linas

Thanks Mike. Do you have any more info? Linas

Thanks Eddie. Starting to zero it down, I hope. Linas

Thank you Captain Albert - it is a good start. Would like more info, of course. Linas