RobW

Hello Skyeman, Yes; this is a nice French produced reproduction. Sometimes they have a hallmark or the word BRONZE on the rim, but not in all cases. As you have surmised it is indeed modern replacement ribbon. If you can find some original French ribbon that would be more correct to type. Regards, Rob

Hello Rob, Welcome to the forum. I am sure that you will find much advice and information here on all the vic series. As Lambert has indicated the Brazil vic is probably the more difficult of the series to find and to find it accompanied by the diploma is difficult. You have to rely on the integrity of the seller to match the medal to the diploma as the Brazil vics were not named. That in itself, with any unnamed medal, can be a challenge. If it is confirmed that the medal and diploma are to the one person that should enhance its collectibility. As for difference in price or value, that is in the eye of the collector. Without cast iron provenance it can be difficult to prove a link. Either way having a diploma and the medal is always preferable to one without. By way of illustration, I have obtained, from a collector in Rio De Janeiro, a Brazil type 1 vic, with miniature, and diploma, all to the same naval gentleman. It was a long time in searching and needless to say it was not a cheap purchase. Regards, Rob

Hi And here it is the oficial João da Silva Victory medal (one of 800 made)... Regards P. Hello Peron, Thanks for posting this larger pic of the official type 1 planchet. Posting such close-up pictures certainly assists new collectors to see the die differences between this type 1 and the subsequently more prevalent type 2. Aside from the Brazil type 1 this Portugal type 1 is probably the rarest examples to find in the vic series. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, A nice pick up of the Siam vic in good condition. As you have indicated the fineness of the strike is something that pictures can simply not do justice to. Such a piece has to viewed under a loop or magnifier to see the detail. Have fun finding your Brazil vic. There are a number on the market but the prices generally are pretty high as well. Regards, Rob

Hello, Welcome to the forum. I am sure that you will find much information here to satisfy whatever vic interests you have. In regards your question: NO, the item on ebay you listed is definitely not original. It is a fake that the particular ebay vendor is well known for. Avoid this item. There are enough hi-resolution pictures on this sub-thread that you can use to determine what is an original cuban vic and what is a reproduction. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, I would agree that there are many collectors that probably have items in their collections that could be of 'dubious' background or provenance. Most either don't know for sure of are too hesitant to ask the questions here to confirm or deny their suspicions. It is advantageous to post such items here for reference so that all collectors can have the opportunity to identify known bogus examples as a base model for comparison. It is also handy to have such specimens in your collection knowing they are not the genuine article so that you can have the item in hand when purchasing a new piece. Regards, Rob

Hi Lambert, That is a fantastic miniature group and is still in such good condition. It is a real treat to see such gems of groups. I always believe that the quality and workmanship on such period miniatures is far and away better than anything comparable or current miniature medals. Thanks for posting. Regards, Rob

Hello David, I am not sure of what others will suggest but my simple suggestion is 'do not polish your medals'. Any form of polish will inevitably lead to wear on the medal, possibly leave residue behind on the planchet, and will degrade any lustre, especially if is a silver medal. The least destructive method of cleaning is to simply wash the medal in warm soapy water and then ensure it is completely dry. Using gloves will also prevent the application of any ill-timed fingerprints. Hope this is of use. Regards, Rob

Hello Gunner1, That is a particularly nice bar. Is the clasp on the IGS WAZIRISTAN 1921-24 ? Regards, Rob

Hello Peron, As has already been indicated quite a nice pick up that you have. Finding any vic in good condition is always a challenge. Finding them in their original period boxes, that are also in good to moderate condition can be quite difficult. Some of the other medals produced by Frederico da Costa are also seen in red coloured boxes. Regards, Rob

To all, The example in question, was produced by the Paris firm of M.Delande. They are generally of high production quality and are deemed to be 'unofficial' according to the authorative Laslo reference. Of note is that on the reverse of the suspension ring are the stamped words 'MADE IN FRANCE'. This at least dates the piece to having being produced circa 1931, as it was a requirement to have country of origin labeling to comply with US laws of the time. Regards, Rob

Welcome back Tim, Another collector of vics, in this forum, is a good thing. Regards, Rob

Hello Carey, As indicated here are two French made examples from the firm of M.Delande. They were obtained at the close-down of stock from that vendor. Both examples do not have the signature on the front nor the initials on the lower back. I hope that this was of use. Regards, Rob

Hello Carey, I can't recall the exact differences at this moment. I will look into my picture files and I should be able to post some pics of the example mention for reference here. Regards, Rob

Hello Hendrik and Carey, I have seen another very thick specimen of this medal. It was, however, of French manufacturer and was produced by the firm of M.Delande, so not necessarily relevant to this discussion. The giveaway in the French made example is that there were minor die variations. Regards, Rob

Hello Herman, A very nice example of a type 1. The difference in the planchet width is immediately obvious in the comparison shot. Regards, Rob

Hi Herman, You have picked up very nice example. The easiest way to check if it may be a wire loop variety is to look at the width of the planchet. In other examples seen the planchet is a bit thicker with thickness ranges between 2.7 - 3.0 mm. The medal planchet will also be of a much more copper-ish colour. Regards, Rob

Hi Jerry, This group to a Naik of the 1-26 Punjabis Regiment shows a good level of toning and patina on the two silver medals. Complete groups to Indian recipients, with the silver medals, are becoming difficult to find. I always find those medals with a deep patina to be more interesting than those that have been polished. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert, It is good to see that you have finally managed to obtain such a rare piece. In regards the ring suspension it does look like it has been polished a bit or even maybe resoldered as it looks a different hue and patina to the rest of the medal. Either way a good pickup. Regards, Rob

Hi Jerry, You have certainly picked up a nice pair. I wouldn't touch the BWM at all as the nice patina that has developed is as a result of the medal being silver. It is this patina which makes the item look particularly nice. Removing the patina by polishing would reduce the value of the medal and pair considerably. Regards, Rob

​Hi Bill, I have in my collection a late issue (never originally claimed) from February 1948, a reissue (medals returned due to naming error) from 1949, and a duplicate reissue (originals lost to Japanese during WW2) from 1950. In all these cases the medals were of a later striking that have minor production differences to the earlier 1920-1930's issues but were clearly from the same dies. I would probably characterise this example as a reissue. Given the MOD's response that they don't reissue the Great War medals unless they were returned, it is unlikely that they had any remaining stocks of the medals, or possibly even the dies, from the original 1920-1930's production timeframe. It would then make sense for the MOD to have to go to an 'approved' medal manufacturer to fulfill any such claims. In that regard these examples would be still be classed as reissues as the original had been returned. I would suggest that there would be very few of these 'reissues' given that passage of time. If they have come from the MOD then they are at least official in that sense. Regards, Rob

Hi Bill, I have seen another example of a Belgian vic, in good condition, with no wear on the medal or ribbon, in another plain grey CH. Galère box. I have an undated catalogue of Establissment Charles Galère that shows the Belgian vic. In that regard it is likely that they produced the vic as it is listed for sale in their catalogue. Regards, Rob

Hi Lambert, This is, indeed, a very nice example. Clean lines, with very little wear. A good example for those vic collectors with the money to fill the gap in their collection. It is suspended from the Great Britian variety of ribbon so that would need to be replaced with the French variety of ribbon to make it a bit more correct to type. Examples in this condition do not turn up that often. Regards, Rob

Hello Paul, Gaining the knowledge is a good thing as it provides context for what you are going to collect. As has been indicated by Lambert, be careful along the way, as there are many 'interesting' items that are not all they seem to be. Once you start down this road you will find there are many varieties to collect. Enjoy adding to your collection. Regards, Rob​

To all, ​It appears that the picture links didn't come through. I have attached a consolidated picture accordingly. This item is already listed on ebay so collectors could also find it there (auction no: 221698116084). Regards, Rob