Christophe

2 good news!!!! Ch.

Hendrik, Let me know precisely when you will be in Paris. If both of us have time enough, I'd be delighted to share a beer with you in the Caf? de la Com?die Fran?aise... About prices. I have already bought a few nice pieces these last weeks, and to be frank, prices are still very reasonable, specially for the most common pieces. The problem I have met is that there are less medals for sale in "normal" flea markets than 10-15 years ago. At that time, you could find a lot of them in all stands of the "Puces" ... Now, you probably have to visit specialised dealers. Cheers. Ch.

I believe all these are the Moscow mintmarks, including OoV's ones. Ch.

OoV, It would be nice if you could post precise pics of the two mintmarks. Cheers. Ch.

OoV, Is the mint mark similar to the ones posted by Paul R and Darrell (see the first posts of the thread) ? Ch.

But how can we be sure it is original to the medal ? What is the mintmark on the medal itself ? Ch.

Ch.

Please, could you give us your sources, or, better, post some pics of these medals with the Leningrad mintmarks ? Ch.

No pb, Dolf . My poor english, certainly... Ch.

Has someone ever seen a Leningrad mintmark on these medals ? It would be a variation non mentioned in references books and websites. Ch.

No, no Dolf . I just say the Moscow mint!!! Ch.

Mondvor only talks about the Moscow mint. No reference to the Leningrad one. And all mintmarks posted here seem to be the moscow one... Ch.

Hi Hendrik, Frankly, no, I have never seen it (even in wear... as far as I remember). But a new mint one must be easy to buy in Palais Royal shops or even maybe at the Monnaie de Paris. In fact, I stopped collecting French medals many years ago, when I switched to Soviet Union (in 1992). But, I seriously think I will go back to it , thanks to threads, Forums and websites like yours . Cheers. Ch.

Hi Hendrik, I have checked about the Ormuz and Moyen-Orient bars. The Ormuz one has been awarded from 30 July 1987 to 1st July 1990, by a decision dated 21st December 1987. The Moyen-Orient one has been awarded from 2 August 1990, by a decision dated 20 December 1990. That means that there have been close to 5 months before the Moyen-Orient one has been instituted. Therefore, I really hope I am not wrong , but I remember having seen the unofficial "Arabie Saoudite" one created meanwhile, for military people who were in the Gulf diuring this period fo 5 months. Of course, the creation of the official one has cancelled the "fantasy" one. Again, I think I have a "Arabie Saoudite" bar somewhere... Iw ill post here, if I can put my hand on it. Cheers. Ch.

Time and opportunity for updating some statistics : This small game has been launched for more than 6 months now (1st November 2005) , and since : * 28 questions have been asked, * They have generated 339 answers, * This quiz has been viewed more than 3405 times, * 19 Members of the Forum (including myself) have played, * and we are 14 to have correctly answered at least 1 question, with the following number of good answers : * 4 good answers : Bryan (Soviet). * 3 good answers : Christophe. * 2 good answers : Andreas (Alfred), Chuck (in Oregon), Ed (Haynes), Gerd (Becker) and Jan (vatjan). * 1 good answer : Darrell, Dave (Navy FCO), Dudeman, Kim (Kimj), Rick (Stogieman), Steen (Ammentorp) and Wild Card. Thanks to all for your participation!!! Now, let's have fun with the 29th question, Gerd's one !!! Cheers. Ch.

Gerd, You are the winner !!! Your turn now . Cheers. Ch.

and . Ch.

Ed, I went too fast and made a typing mistake : 2003, and not 1994 !!! So, I'm not the real winner . Your turn, now ? Ch.

Normally, if I remember well, Gulf War 1 was the one between Iran and Irak, that ended in 1989. Gulf War 2 was between Irak and the Allied Forces (1990-91). Guilf War 3 was between Irak and mainly the US (2003). Ch.

BTW, any idea where they are ? A good question, Ed... as usual. Thanks!!! Ch.

Great Gerd!!!!! We were waiting for YOU!!!! Congrats!!! Your turn now!! Cheers. Ch.

Allez!!!! Let's move!!! Ch.

No one ? Who will try answering Ed's question ? Don't be too shy... Cheers. Ch.

Thanks Hendrik. Now, I'm more than sure you are right. I wrote this from memory... and you know what that's mean... And about "Arabie Saoudite", is it corect to say it was the first version (non-official) of the "Moyen-Orient" bar ? Maybe am I wrong again... I think I have a "Arabie Saoudite" bar somewhere... Cheers. Ch.

Hendrik, The Strait of Ormuz passage is shared between Iran and Oman. The Omani part is a very nice mountaineous landscape. Am I wrong (I write this from memory, and could be wrong) if I say that the Ormuz bar was awarded to participants of the 1st Gulf War (1990-1991) against Irak. There was a fantasy "Saudi Arabia" bar for private purchase, but I think Ormuz was the correct and officially one awarded... Ch.