Dolf

Sorry, I guess I missed that detail you mention on Jan's post and misunderstood the whole thing, as you were showing and talking about your different flatback types/variations! As for solid silver and silverplated variations I confess I was never able to really detect the differences between them either! Dolf

Jan, I believe fjcp was asking for the reverses of flatback herder Badges, not the mirror-reverse type. Dolf

Right. I was just expressing my full agreement Dolf

Ed, With the central medallion with the coat of arms completely off center as visible on the obverse pic, and the resoldered rivets as visible on the reverse pic, I suppose it's obvious it was fixed by the local craftsman. Dolf

It was the 1st one of these showing up on eBay, and I'd bet the guy who bought it most probably didn't know it was this new brass type, as there was no mention of that on the description... Dolf

Exactly. These new brass types exist since 2003/2004 for most Mongolian Orders. Listed on Dr. Battushig's book, respectively (following Matt's list) as: A 32.4 + A 30.2 + A 24.2. It also exists for the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, listed as A 28.2. The only one that is not listed on Dr. Battushig's book is this new Order of Sukhbaatar, but this new brass type also exists for this Order. Yes, you're right Ron. Dolf

Yes, that one in particular IS real anyway, I'm the guy who took the pics which you probably downloaded from eBay. As for the quality if compared with the older S-B, Ed's reply explains all the rest pretty well. Dolf

Ron, Wow! So it was even a much better deal than I thought! These Friendship Medals are not among the easiest to find and they are certainly not among the cheap Medals either! Best, Dolf

Dear Guy, You got me convinced I'm certainly buying that Catalogue. Btw, is this pic from that Catalogue? Wow! Many thanks for helping a guy living here know a few more things about it here that I just didn't know Dolf

Thanks for the clarification, Rick. Dolf

Ron, Excellent deal Dolf

Rusty, Yes, they both look fake to me too, but in my case it's more like a feeling I can hardly explain, apart the fact they have some resemblances with those Kapral ones. Can you please elaborate a little bit on the signs for the verdict? Thanks buddy, Dolf

Here is the one I was offered. Dolf PS: Well, if the Order of the Rose of Brasil is one of the nicest in the World, where would we place this one?...

WOW!WOW!WOW!! I believe it's called The Band of the Three Orders (Aviz, Christ and Santiago of the Sword). An absolutely marvellous piece! Some time ago I was offered one (the Grand Collar, including the breast Star), but too much for my wallet! Dolf PS: btw, check it here: http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/banda_3_ordens_insignia.htm

Guy, Thanks for the link! Beautiful pieces indeed! Wow! A Grand Collar and a breast Star! Dolf

Rick, Wow, it would be nice to see pics of those other grades of this Order... I've learned some time ago that some awards from other countries (not 100% sure but I think the ones I saw are from Ethiopia or so) are (at least partially) actually made here! The designs of that period still remain (imho) among the nicest ever made! Well, personally I also love the Soviet and Mongolian period ones, but I guess that's for other reasons... Dolf

Guy, Thanks a lot for the info. Funny, a familly member worked in the administration there for years, I don't live that far from the Palace, and I get the info from... Belgium... I guess I'm definetely not an outdoors guy! Dolf

Nice piece indeed! Funny, it has quite a lot of resemblances with both the Portuguese Order of the Tower and the Sword (the overall design), and the Portuguese Order of Our Lady of Vila Vi?osa (mainly the central medallion), both posted on this thread here: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=5643 g_deploige, there is one of these Order of the Rose in the Pal?cio Nacional da Ajuda in Lisbon?! Wow, definetely have to have a look! Dolf

As usual it depends where you buy it. There's a dealer selling these for $8.00, another for $30.00... on eBay you can find them for $10.00 to $15.00... Hope it helps. Dolf

Also often called the "We Won" Medal. Dolf

Hi Rick, Oh! Not the person I was thinking?! I always thought that it was him! Yeah, the "Mark of The Beast" I believe I've it in one of my pieces that I might have posted here somewhere as well, anyway as long as it's not on a guy's head (guess I saw that on a movie ) no problem... he!he!he!... Dolf PS: Ok, I found my own piece with a "666" in the S/N. Here, Post 15 : http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7899

Rick, Did you notice who is the higher bidder right now? Anyway, the one with that S/N seems to be the ORB of Labor. Guess he might have made an error on the description. Dolf

No problem, you welcome He!he!... Most definetely Dolf

According to PMD's Guide: "Workers of the World unite". Dolf

Very nice Medals, Douglas! Thanks for posting them. Dolf