RobW

Hello David, You have asked a very good question but there is no easy answer. The examples types that you have listed as still looking for, are particularly difficult to obtain. As I am sure you will note on the various sub-thread posts, some examples are particularly difficult to find even amongst very experienced and long-time collectors. All you can do is to continue to check online medal auction houses, medal dealers, and various online auction places. I would also suggest you may want to place a section in the wanted area of the forum. It has worked in the past for other forum members. Good luck. Regards, Rob

Hello Percy, An official strike in good condition, notwithstanding the British ribbon. I would suggest obtaining a piece of the French manufactured ribbon to replace it as it would be more correct to type. Interestingly, on this official strike, the planchet on the obverse has been struck off-centre. You will notice on the bottom half of the medal a noticeable line, which is especially apparent just below the ribbon drape over the foot of victory herself. It would appear that the planchet may have slipped which resulted in an off-centre strike. While you see die-flaws and planchet errors regularly on the Romanian unofficial strikes it is not normally seen on the official strikes. Compare your example to the numerous pics in this sub-thread but note particularly the close-ups on post 55 and 73, and you will see the off-centre strike on your example. Regards, Rob

Hello Percy, Welcome aboard the forum. I am sure you will find a trove of information on vics here amongst the threads. Noting your comment about the Portugal unofficial type 1 vic; the question of whether or not it will suffice as a country example type, is entirely up to you. If you are just collecting the official strikes of each county your search will be short and, over time, relatively achievable. If however you are looking to obtain all the unofficial strikes in addition to the official strikes, in order to have a more complete collection that will take a considerably longer time and much more effort. It is up to you; after all, it is your collection. Everyone here collecting vics does so for their own reasons. Regards, Rob

Hello Bill, A nice example indeed. A good pickup and addition to your collection. Regards, Rob

Hello Oliver, You have managed to obtain all three of the sub-varieties of the Loriolli-Castelli version of the Italian vic. Interestingly the bottom of the three examples is a bit more difficult to locate than the top two. Regards, Rob

Hello Alexander, Both the unofficial type 1 (first example) and unofficial type 2 (second example) that you have obtained are correct, and in good condition. Of note is that there should be manufacturers marks and the word BRONZE stamped on the rims of the medals. The unofficial type 2 does have a bit of verdigris on the obverse. This can generally be removed with a soft brush but there are many and varied opinions on whether or not you should clean medals. As far as the ribbons are concerned the ribbon on the unofficial type 1 is the correct French ribbon but the ribbon on the unofficial type 2 is actually Belgian ribbon (which is quite distinctive). I would remove that ribbon and find another piece of French ribbon so that it is correct to type. Regards, Rob

Hello Alex, The ribbon is correct to the era and it is the correct un-blended ribbon commonly seen on the Czech vics. A nice example. Regards, Rob

Hello Lambert and Paul, It took me over 20 years of collecting vics before I found and managed to obtain a Brazil type 1 with the rim markings. Aside from the Portugal official type 1 I consider the Brazil vic type 1 the rarest of the regular issues. Having said that some of the unofficial strikes are also particularly rare. With the passage of time the scarcity is only likely to increase although I remain hopeful, that with the reach of the internet, more examples will appear from Brazil. Regards, Rob

Hello Egorka, A nice pick up of a few Japanese pieces. I would echo what Brian has already said and attempt to obtain Japanese pieces with their original boxes. As vic collectors we are fortunate that Japanese medals come with such attractive boxes which also makes it easier to keep the items in good condition. You will find it a challenge to obtain Japanese groups as a complete set as they are often split up for short-term profits. The most difficult aspect is to obtain a Japanese medal, with the box and the corresponding award certificate. Good luck on the start of your journey. I am sure there will be many vic collectors on this forum that will be able to provide assistance and help should you so need it. Regards, Rob

Hello Oliver, There has already battle claps matrix's posted in this thread (# 14, # 19 and # 343) which show the most common clasp combinations. Barring any major revelation about incorrect attribution at the divisional level it is not likely that a new matrix is going to be produced. The clasp matrix from the Laslo volume (Ed 1) is still considered relevant. Any further detail required on specific individuals, or units not listed in these matrix's, would require further detailed research. There are a number of additional references relating to battle and service clasp entitlement with the most recent published being: 'WW1 Campaign and Service Credits', Planchet Press Publication, Pub 21B (June 1996). If you contact the OMSA it is possible that someone may still have a copy available for sale. Regards, Rob

Hello Jason, Late to the party but I would echo the words of Lambert. Noting that the piece has already sold I would have passed on the item for the following reasons: 1. The planchet has been heavily polished on both sides, with the scoring marks more noticeable on the obverse. This is a great way to destroy value in a medal especially a lovely bronze medal. 2. There is a significant die flaw on the bottom of the reverse. While it is usual to see die flaws on the numerous 'unofficial' strikes, it is not regularly seen on the 'official' strike. 3. The medal has been 'court-mounted' which is a predominantly British and Commonwealth manner of mounting medals and certainly not the style in which Romanian medals were mounted; either singly or when in groups. 4. The ribbon is not correct to type, looking like the British weave of ribbon. On that basis I would have passed on the item. There are just as many good condition official strikes in the market, that have not been polished and have kept their lovely dark patina. Just my 2 cents worth. Regards, Rob

Hello Alex, This is what is termed an 'official type 2' with the name of the designer on the obverse. While I can't see the entire ribbon it too looks original, un-blended to type. A nice example in good condition.

Hello Oliver, This example looks in similar condition to earlier examples posted in this thread (# 111 & # 237) albeit having a flat tab suspender. It is not unusual to see examples with a poorer strike and edge finish as these medals were produced by a variety of Belgian manufacturers. I would suggest that the die that was used for this example had a fair degree of wear and that underneath the edge, where the filing is present, there may be the remains of the designers name. I have seen other examples where the designers name is very clear and defined and others where it is poorly defined, weakly struck and quite difficult to see. This, combined with the original Belgian manufactured ribbon, suggests that this example was produced by an unidentified Belgian firm. Regards, Rob

Hello Chris, There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the ribbon as there were a great variety of French produced vic ribbons. I have seen other French vics with the specific ribbon you have shown on your example. Nothing untoward about the bar either. Another contender for the red ribbon is the Serbian Milosh Obilich medal. Regards, Rob

Hello Skyeman, The 'type id' for the Reimer produced Belgian vics depends on the which country you are referring to. In Mr Laslo's volume he lists the Riemer produced Belgian vic in both the Belgium and Czechoslovakia entries. In both cases they are referred to as the 'Unofficial Type 2'. As a result you could refer to them as: 1. Belgian unofficial type 2. 2. Czechoslovak unofficial type 2. Either way it is also of benefit to include the clarification 'Riemer' variety. Having said that there is also great sub-variety in the Riemer produced models, with small differences in the ball suspender, and finish of the planchet. I hope that this is of use. Regards, Rob

Hello Skyeman, The term 'reproduction' in this context does not mean fake. These French produced reproduction were produced in the 1920's and 1930's timeframe so they are definitely current to the era. Some are maker marked on the rim and others are not. Either way they are quite distinctive and well made and are definitely slightly different in design to the official strikes found in Czechoslovakia at the time. There are two French produced reproductions listed in the Laslo volume: 1. Repro Type 1 - details and finish as per your listed examplet. 2. Repro Type 3 - a cast version of the Repro type 1. As your Czech collector friends have mentioned these French produced reproductions are quite difficult to find in good condition. A good pickup. Regards, Rob

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