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Here is the 2nd highest ranking Civil Awards of the Philippines, the Order of Lakandula, which ranks just below the Quezon Service Cross. The Order of Lakandula was instituted on 19 September 2003 in 6 Classes. It is awarded for political and civic merit, in memory of King Lankandula's dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one's people. Hilary Clinton, and Prince Felipe of Spain (who is now King Felipe VI) were awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Lakandula. King Juan Carlos of Spain, Emperor Akhi Hito of Japan, and President Teodoro Obiang Nguema from Equatorial Guinea were awarded the Grand Collar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Lakandula It is very hard to get. The collar is not mine..... I catch the Commander in a London auction, and the Member badge in Manila. Regards to all. Emmanuel

With all these changes, we now, not know if the Royal Family Order of Bhutan, instituted in 1966 by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (the grand father of the current King) in 3 Classes is still awarded, or if it now obsolete. Here a 1st Class set, made by Spink. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Still in 2008, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, instituted the National Order of Merit as the lowest award to Druk Khorlo. The National Order of Merit comes in 3 Classes ( Gold, Silver & Bronze ). On www.royalark.net you can see a gold version. To understand better this award, on 17 December 2016, the Nuns Foundation of Bhutan was awarded the National Order of Merit Gold. Best regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Still on 7 November 2008, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk instituted the Druk Khorloo ( Wheel of Thunder ). It's the 5th highest award of Bhutan (not the 4th, it's the 5th !!!). It comes as a single class neck badge. It is silver-gilt & enamel, and was made by Royal Insignia of Singapore. Best regards to all. Emmanuel

The Druk Wangyel set in its case of issue.

Hello Gentlemen, This one came in a french auction in October 2019, so I had a good opportunity to purchase it. Order of the Grieving Heart. Made by El Oro Tupaz Jr. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Another elusive award of the Philippines, is the Golden Heart Presidential Award. This is the 1st Type insignia, as it was instituted in 1954. On obverse 2 hands going like to hold a heart, with the motto "Manum Tuam Apervit Inope" On reverse the seal of the Philippines and the name of the award : "The Golden Heart Presidential Award" Regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Long time ago, I have been able to buy this elusive award, that is obviously from the Philippines. But I have never been able to get any information on it. On reverse it is marked : El Oro J.Tupaz Jr If any one on this forum knows a bit more, he's most welcome to post a reply. Regards to all. Emmanuel

For presentation, the Order of the National Artist is to be worn from a Collar. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Still on 7 November 2008, King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck instituted a 3rd award, as 3rd highest ranking award of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Druk Wangyel. This Order comes as a single class Order, a sash badge, a sash & a breast star. The sash is plain dark orange color. A Collar of this Order has ounce surfaced in a european auction house catalogue, but there is no actual evidence that this Collar was nothing more than a tender piece. The manufacturer is WORTH. Regards to all. Emmanuel

In 2014, I had the opportunity to buy in Manila, the insignia of the Order of the National Artist of the Philippines. It's a very very large badge hung around the neck. About 14 centimeters large. On the reverse the inscription : " Order of the National Artist - Republic of the Philippines" Manufactured by A Zamora & Son's. This award was instituted in 1972, and since then had been awarded 73 times. It can be awarded for Music, Dance, Theater, Literature, Contemporary Arts, Architecture Design & Allied Arts, Film & Broadcasting Arts. According to my research on the net, there is others type of insignia of Order of National Artist. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Godishigh, What you have here, is a beautifull 4th Class, or Officer of the Order of the Oak Crown, from the time, there still was a personal union between Netherlands & Luxembourg. A similar cross, but without oak leaves between the white arms, would have been a 5th Class, or Knight. Till 1891 the King of Netherlands was also Grand Duke of Luxembourg. As King Wilhelm III had only a daughter, she could succeed him as Queen of the Netherlands, but not as Grand Duchess of Luxembourg (still in 1891 women could not ascend the throne of Luxembourg, ....that was to be changed in 1905, but for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, it was then too late). King Wilhelm II wished an Order of Civil Merit that he could more freely award than the Order of the Dutch Lion, and for this purpose, was instituted in December 1841, the Order of the Oak Crown, in 5 Classes + 3 Classes of medals. The ribbon is typical for the period, as from 1841 till 1891 the ribbon was of 5 equal stripes : oak green/dark yellow/oak green/dark yellow/oak green. In 1891, the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg Adolph of Nassau retain the Order of the Oak Crown as a State Order of the Grand Duchy, but insignia were a bit larger ( about 15 % larger ), and ribbon was then mainly dark yellow, with 3 oak green stripes, but narrower, and with the outer green stripes not touching the edges. Here you can see an exemple from the 1st purely luxemburger Order of the Oak Crown Officer (and before 1905, they were made of gold). Regards. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, That same day on 7 November 2008, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, intituted a 2nd Order : Druk Yugyel as 2nd highest ranking Order of the Kingdom of Bhutan. This is a single class Order, as sash with sash badge, and breast star. The sash color is sun yellow. The manufacturer is WORTH. Best regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Hello Shots Dave, Still there is many awards of the Philippines that are elusive and scarcely met. Like this : Presidential Award Medal of Merit. It's in metal gilt (not silver, but very well made). I ounce have been able to download a photo of such an award, hung from a plain yellow ribbon. But both could be original, as ribbon colors may have changed over the years. Mine bear the mark of : "El Oro J.Tupaz Jr." To my opinion, the one with yellow ribbon looks older. Regards to all. Emmanuel

It has to be mentioned, that a Civil version of the Gold Cross exist. On reverse it bears the inscription : " PRO FILIPINAS" It was to be awarded to civilians for acts of conspicuous courage or gallantry, in the face of an armed enemy involving the risk of life. The ribbon is to be of gold moire, with enamel background behind Manuel L.Quezon being of dark blue enamel. I have been many times to the Philippines, and to a huge amount of convention in my life, and going through a huge number of auction or dealer catalogue, but I have never seen any one for sale. The photo used to illustrate this post came from the book of Robert H.Reynolds "Philippine Medals" published by OMSA in 1998. Mr Reynolds shall be credited for these photo. Which are the onliest I know. According to what I knew, even Mr Reynolds only had the photo of the Gold Cross for Civil Bravery, he never had the medal itself. Best regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, In the last years, Shots Dave had share with us, the 2 Gold Cross ( it's an award for Gallantry ) he owns. There is different version with sky blue center, with dark bleu center, with ribbon with darker, or lower shades of blue. The obverse bear the profile of Manuel L.Quezon, The reverse shall bear the inscription : "For gallantry in Action". This cross is to be awarded to personnel of the Philippine Armed Forces for Gallantry in action, not warranting the award of either the Medal of Valor, or the Distinguished Conduct Star. But one day, about 6 years ago, what a shock, in a collection of a malay fellow, I saw one Gold Cross, with reverse : " Distinguished Navy Cross". From various email exchanges with some collectors, incl Jeff Floyd, nobody had never heard of this variation before. Neither Robert H.Reynolds had mentioned it in his OMSA Monograph about Medals of the Philippines. But here it is. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Here is the 1st Type of Distinguished Service Star of the Republic of the Philippines. Now this award is a neck badge. We know that the breast badge was shifted to be a neck badge at the end of the 1960ies, somewhen during the first years of President Ferdinand Marcos Presidency. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Despite being a relatively recent Order. It already exist variation in manufacturing. Or this one, was a piece made by the manufacturer for the tender process. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Here we have the Distinguished Service Star of the Commonwealth of the Philippines ( 1935-1946 ). Some were issued, but the most that are found on the market, are not issued. Anyways they are seldom seen. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Here is the Order of Druk Gyalpo from Bhutan. It's the highest Order of Bhutan. It was created by King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck on 7 November 2008. Made from 3 different parts. Manufactured by WORTH Regards to all. Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, You do not see one everyday, so here it is, a Distinguished Service Star from the Constabulary Era of the Philippines. It was instituted by General Order N° 24 of 17 October 1925 Mine is not issued, but it's still a very rare award. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Here is the 3rd Type of the Distinguished Conduct Star of the Republic of the Philippines. It's currently a neck badge. Those who were made in the 1970ies were of better workmanship than those made later. The one below, is I believe a late 1980ies award. Regards to all. Emmanuel

Here is the 2nd Type of the Distinguished Conduct Star of the Republic of the Philippines. A breast badge, issued from the 1950ies till likely the end of the 1960ies. I have never come across an issued one, and mine is not issued too. Best regards to all. Emmanuel

Here is the very 1st Type of the Distinguished Conduct Star issued by the Republic of the Philippines, immediately in 1946 This type is seldom seen, and was very fast replaced by the 3rd Type. The one here is also an issued one, to a Brig General. Regards to all Emmanuel

Hello Gentlemen, Here we have a Distinguished Conduct Star from the Commonwealth Era 1935-46 It's an issued one, to a Lieut Col.