Dolf

Here are two Ranger-herder Badges. Starting with J 04. Only an obverse pic of this one. Dolf

Same, reverse: Dolf

Now the flatback, S/N 4450. Obverse: Dolf

Same, reverse: Dolf

Mirror-reverse, S/N 3345. Obverse: Dolf

Same, reverse: Dolf

Ok, here are my Best Herder, J 02. Rather than my usual 600dpi scans, in order to try to speed up playing a bit these are 400dpi. Mirror-reverse, S/N 3344. Obverse: Dolf

Ed, ok, that's what I thought anyway, J 04 is indeed a Best Ranger, but as they are all four types listed as J 01, J 02, J 03, J 04, on the Agriculture series, I don't make a huge difference between them. Right now I only have here with me one J 04, which I believe it's J 04b. There is one J 04 on it's way here so I'll post both as soon as I get this last one. I think that the only slightely differences concern the colors, mainly the sky, than anything else. I have pics but not as detailed as I usually do them here with the scanner (which I prefer to the digital camera for small details) so better post them later. Dolf

fjcp, Have you seen the size of my display... Ok off the wall again... Hey, just kidding So, for the weight: #3344 (mirror-reverse) ? 16,80gr #3345 (mirror-reverse) ? 16,20gr #4450 (flatback) ? 19,75gr Of course, this is without the screwnuts. The flatback seems to be a bit harder to find than the mirror-reverse, anyway only have one of these, fjcp, sorry In my humble opinion I think they are all in silver, simply on some the silver is darker than on other. If you clean them I suppose they all will shine like... silver. But some collectors state they exist in brass and silver (Jan has a theory on this, he might be the right person to help you on finding the differences, if they exist), I just don't know, I believe both mine are silver and so far I haven't had others on my hands. Soon I should so I will see. If you want to test yours you just have to bring them to a trustworthy and competent jewller and ask him for check it, if you don't mind they do a test on your pieces: a little scratch on the reverse, then a drop of some liquid and depending on the color it takes, it's solid silver, or silverplated brass or brass. I didn't test mine but I was told it won't damage them, as anyway after the test they can polish themand you hardly will notice whatever they did. Hope it helps. Dolf

Ed, Have you forgot to mention J 04? There are also 2 variations of this one as listed on "the book". This type is not serial numbered as for J 03. Dolf

And a nicer more detailed scan of the Order itself. Isn't it nice?... This Order is part of the group of the Military Orders (Order of the Tower and the Sword, Order of Christ, Order of Avis and this one) and "is awarded to distinguish outstanding services in the arts, sciences and literature, with noteworthy merit and achievements" Dolf

Latest addition to this branch of the collection, Order of Santiago of the Sword, not sure if Knight or Officer grade. The Box, and Inside the box: Dolf EDIT: After research I believe it's Officer grade.

1,100.00? is a good price these days, even for a pinback type!!! Dolf

Ed, I guess, I honestely haven't checked it, I trust you and Jan for this kind of "details" Dolf

fjcp, Thanks, and congrats for your beautiful pieces too! If they were serial numbered it might have make sense to keep both, as for example my two J 02 with S/Ns following each other, otherwise... well, not my business anyway Dolf

About these J 02: I have two mirror reverse, S/N 3344 and S/N 3345 (yes, lucky hein? ) and both look like silver and both have the S/N at 8 o'clock. I don't think I've ever seen one of these with the S/N at 11 o'clock as the sample shown on Dr. Battushig's book! I wonder if the real S/N at 8 o'clock has not been erased for some reason and S/N 32 just added at 11 o'clock! Ed have you ever seen others with the S/N on that location? My other J 02 is a flatback version, S/N 4450, and in this case the S/N is at 6 o'clock. Will post pics later. Dolf

Yes, hard to decide which one is my favorite as I also like J 02 and J 04 quite a lot. J 01 is the most rudely made, it has it's own charm of course, but I like more any of the 3 others, probably with J 03 and J 02 as my real favorites on this "Agriculture" series Guys, please check out the screwnuts of your J 01 pieces to see if we find the same or other marks on them. Thanks, Dolf

Thanks Ed. Same screwnut indeed, as for the few others I've seen. I'll do some research on that mark, whatever it is. Dolf

And the large screwnut for this one. Dolf

And another Outstanding Herder, J 03, a very nice Badge indeed! Dolf

And the screwnut that goes with. Is it a mint mark? A maker's mark? Or a "8" ? Why? For what? Any suggestions? Have you guys seen others with this kind of mark, among your pieces? Dolf

It seems this one is now the lowest S/N observed (at least in the Forum) S/N 15 Dolf

Very nice figures indeed, Marc! Would these be considered Science-fiction or rather "medieval-fantastic" (or whatever the right name might be in english; anyway, see what I mean?) ? I have the feeling that science-fiction would rather be more like Star Wars kind of figures. Anyway, have seen some of these on a couple of wargames (traditional but also all the kind of other more recent "medieval-fantasy" games) clubs. Yours are really very nice, great job! I used to play traditional boardgames (with mapboards or eventually mapsheets and the units represented in those carboard pieces), mostly on WWII, you may know those Avalon Hill classics (my favorites being those impulse system ones, such as "Turning Point: Stalingrad", my #1 favorite ever), unfortunatelly for lack of time, lack of local opponents and different interests (such as collecting Medals ) I haven't played anymore for quite some time. Not that I don't miss the feeling, but that's life Keep up the good work! Best, Dolf

Jan, Yeah, an "Outstanding Improvised Assembling" Dolf

Ed, I definetely opt for answer B. The Badge itself is a N 05, with a suspension of a X 01. Notice that there are differences between the suspension of X 01 and X 02, X 01 being screwback and enameled, and X 02 being pinback with what seems to be paint. This last one is also bigger than the one on X 01. Well, at least that's what I have on my own samples. Dolf