Garth Thompson

Close up of the Railroad honor medals.

His Carte du Combattant, would he have been entitled to the Combattant Cross?

I recently aquired this little group to Msr. Ludovic Trie. It includes his Carte du Combattant, Merit Social both Chevalier and officer, Medal of Honor for Railroads type I silver 1933, Medal of Honor for Railroads type II gilt 1943 (a Vichy award I would guess) plus two other medals that I can't identify, one might be for a railroadman's religious organization. Any help appreciated. Garth

I've been back and forth with her via email on the medal. She is pretty convinced she has a treasure. This is probably a lost cause as some idiot will probably buy it to melt down. Garth

The person listing this on ebay is a woman who I'm pretty sure really doesn't know what the medal is worth but is relying on a jewelers appraisal based on the piece being gold and weighing 2.3 oz. Current gold prices would indicate the $2000 appraisal is correct if the piece is solid gold. It is already bid up to $1300 so I'm afraid this one is for the melting pot not a collection. Garth

Paul, Yes it is the single star and dots that I found inconsistent with a 2e medal. The seller has a $2000.00 USD reserve set it. Do you think this is in the ballpark for a 2e LoH in this condition? Garth

This Legion of Honor is presently listed on ebay,US. It appears to have characteristics of both a First Empire and a Second Empire. The reverse below the eagle is to my mind unusual also. The closest I can find is a First Empire 6th type, ref DECORATIONS FRANCE ET COLONIES M.DELANDE Paris 1934 page 5. Could this be a hybrid or is it an example that just isn't in any of my references. Here is the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...E:X:RTQ:US:1123 If that doesn't work here is the auction number: 220409491944 Regards, Garth

I would be very interested in any information I could get on the recipient. Thanks in advance, Garth

Here is another of these badges I recently aquired.

Here is the one I have. It is an unnamed unawarded example. I believe the last named example sold at auction was Admiral Byrd's. It was sold several years ago for 23,000 english pounds if I remember correctly. Garth

Can anyone tell the official name/title of this medal and does it have any collector value/ Thanks in advance, Garth

PK, I just checked and they are still up individually. The vendor is vigan12. The first lot closing in a day is # 150334998108. The man in volved is a Louis Nicol. Garth

If anyone is interested there is currently on ebay,France a seller by the ID of vigan12 who is offering a series of award documents all to the same man. The various documents and diplomas cover many colonial awards. They are listed as individual auctions. It seems a same this lot will be broken up. Garth

This one would be locally made, here is the reverse view with hallmark.

Closer view

Here is a Commander grade I recently aquired. I can make no sense of the cypher. Garth

Antonio, Thank you for your help. Are these medals and badges considered scarce or valuable by collectors? Garth

Helllo Jan, Thank you for your reply. Garth

Closer view

I picked up this scarce little gem sitting on a table in some other misc medals at the recent SOS in Louisville, KY. It is a first type Military Merit Medal of Vietnam with the Bao Dai obverse. This one looks to be a Vietnamese made medal vice a French made one. Anyway it is a seldom seen variant. Garth

I need a little help in positively identifying this Belgian decoration. I'm assuming it is similar to the French Academic Palm. Garth

Badge #2 Thank you for any help in advance, Garth

Badge #1 reverse

Badge #1 close up

The following two pieces are nicely done neck type badges suspended from thick heavy metallic silver cords and are approximately 2" x 2 1/2" . Badge #1