RobW

To all, As indicated here is a pic of one of these very new US navy vic bars. Any comments welcome? Regards, Rob

Hello Jim, That would be good to see your copy. On that theme; there is currently a lot of US Navy vic clasps on ebay that seem too new and not of the correct colour or finish. Do any of our US vic collectors have any ideas or opinions as to their background? When I have time I will post a pic of one for reference. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Apart from the fact that it is suspended by Italian ribbon I think it looks okay. Probably just a trial or other variety. Regards, Rob

Yes Paul; I do. Hello Bill, Laslo did indeed correctly identify the suspension in the illustration in both editions of his book. It also clearly shows the CASA DA-MOEDA makers mark on the rim. My type 1 has a wire suspension exactly the same as that illustrated in the Laslo volumes. Regards, Rob

Hello Kevin, Thanks for the close-up. I have attached a combined composite copy of your picture and another from this sub-topic and it suggests that the medal is the unofficial type 2 or 'Reverse N' variety according to the Laslo reference. The unofficial type 3 has certain other distinguishing features that are not the same as that in this picture. It is always interesting to see actual pictures of the recipients wearing their medals that we discuss. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, You would indeed be correct that those three are becoming much harder to find. As for the Siam vic there are a number of options although, as you have suggested, they are all expensive. There is an official one listed at eMedals: https://www.emedals.com/Pages/DirectSale/DirectSaleItemDetails.aspx?id=8418 and a number of reproduction type 2's, as described in the Laslo volume at Liverpoolmedals: 1. http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/Thailand-L19534.html 2. http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/Thailand-L16416-pr-4582.html Interestingly while the reported minted numbers for the Siam vic are lower they are actually a bit easier to find than the Brazil vic. There is always the option of a contemporary reproduction piece, that seem to abound on the online auction sites, to use as a 'space filler' until a suitable specimen is found. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, You would indeed be correct that those three are becoming much harder to find and none of them are going to get less expensive. There is currently listed an official cuban at Liverpoolmedals: http://www.liverpoolmedals.com/Cuba-Official-issue-with-chobillon-hallmark-and-bronze-on-edge-L5766-pr-4936.html as well as at Medal-Medaille: http://www.medal-medaille.com/product_info.php?cPath=188&products_id=5791 and there are four listed at eMedals although their prices are a bit higher than other places. There is always the option of a contemporary reproduction piece, that are regularly seen on the online auction sites, to use as a 'space filler' until a suitable specimen is found. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, You would indeed be correct that those three are becoming much harder to find. Given that you are in Brazil I would have thought that you would have more chance than most to locate a specimen. As Julio states above they are not seen that often in Brazil either, but I think you would have a better chance than most. There is currently a Brazil vic, official type 2, listed at Liverpoolmedals: http://www.liverpool...-very-rare.html There is always the option of a contemporary reproduction piece to use as a 'space filler' until a suitable specimen is found. Regards, Rob

Do any other collectors have a different perpective to that posted above? Regards, Rob

Hello Kevin, It is difficult to determine from the close-up, and as you have the original photo in hand what category do you assess the vic is? * official or unofficial? Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, Which three are you missing? Rob

Hello Bill, It might be advantageous to get a picture of the ribbon and post it in the vic ribbons thread for later reference. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Yes; what is definitely interesting is the addition of the Revolution Cross bars. While there is a nice spread of bars from the three different countries (France, Russia, and Italy) it is the appearance of the PERONNE bar that catches the eye. Péronne is situated in the Somme valley, and while this particular bar is mentioned in the Vaclav Mericka reference books it is very rarely seen. That may attribute some of the interest. All in all a nice piece. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, Thanks for the link. I would agree; an interesting piece. Although it is a bit difficult to tell from the overall picture the item does indeed look like a Belgian unofficial type 2 (Riemer) variety. I have seen other pieces that look the same and have the same large ring-cylinder suspender. It also has the correct unwatered ribbon from the period. It is not altogether unusual to see the Czech produced Belgian vics with ribbon attachments. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert & Bill, The variety with the cylinder suspender is seen much less often than that of the barrel suspender. Regards, Rob

To all, I have copied a post by Lambert from the Japanese vic sub-forum for all to view. Given the variety and myriad of vics from the many countries, and the geographical spread of collectors there will naturally be different perspectives on the relative scarcity or otherwise of the vic series. It would be interesting if other collectors could post their own interpretations and/or thoughts on the relative scarcity of each countries official, unofficial, re-issue and reproductions. This may, at least, give other collectors an idea as to the probability or availability of locating such pieces. Whilst I have not been collecting vics as long as some others, I would agree with Lambert's listing with the following addition: Romania: Official Type, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 3a. (Scarce in good condition with the unofficial type 3a very rare) Let's see other views. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, You might like to re-post your complete list reply in the General Discussion area for all to view across the series. Regards, Rob

The first one is always the start of the slippery slope! If you stick to just the 'official' issues this will an 'interesting' challenge to obtain a type-set. If you then decide to branch out to the unofficial, re-issues, and reproductions, things become even more challenging. Have fun. Regards, Rob

Hello RelicHunter, Welcome to the thread. Always good to have new participants to contribute. Yes, a nice example that has little wear. Did you obtain it by itself of complete with the box? Regards, Rob

And another, this time with a 1967 date bar. Regards, Rob

Here is another with a 1966 date bar. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, Thanks for posting. That is a nice Romanian unofficial variety, with good detail. You will find that some of the unofficial Romanian varieties are becoming harder to find, with the unofficial type 3a being particularly difficult. They are seen rarely. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, Interesting statistics on the ribbons. Yes, the official greek vic would have come on French ribbon. The Romanian official vic has also been seen on a French ribbon. The unofficial types 1, 2, 3, and 3a have been seen on a variety of local Romanian produced ribbons. The colours, tones and widths vary as a result. Regards, Rob

To all, Here is another example, albeit less a date bar. Regards, Rob