RobW

Hi Gents,

I have, temporarily, three examples of the Official French vic by Morlon, struck by the Paris Mint. Two of them have planchets exactly the same diameter, 35mm +, while the third is slightly but noticibly smaller - about 0.5mm. They are all the same thickness at the edge. However, the two bigger ones are thicker over the figure of Victory than the smaller one - if you lay them side by side, obverse uppermost, and put a straight-edge across the ladie's chests (and haven't we all done this at one time or another?) the smaller one is noticibly lower. Finally, the Paris Mint cornucopia and BR mark on the larger two is inset from the rim, while on the smaller it's right on the rim.

So is there any significance in one being smaller - is it a reissue, or just a different set of dies?

Hello Bill,

Given the vast quantities of the French vic produced I would suggest that this is simply a slightly different die.

Is a reissue going to be a bright finish compared with the original version?

In regards the French vic Re-Issue; it is definitely of a more shiny finish compared to the darker bronze of the original issue. In addition there are two minor varieties of the Re-Issue; the more commonly seen type with a very shiny finish and the less common variety that has a reddish-bronze appearance. While they are seen rarely the shiny Re-Issue can still be obtained.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Rob

Hi Gents,

When I joined I had 7 vics - today I have 28!

Bill

Hello Bill,

With 28 vics it is good to see that you have well and truly entered down that slippery slope! It is a fun ride and you never know where you'll end up.

With 13 countries to choose from, and the extra varieties of the Commonwealth countries, there is always something to collect.

This is what makes it such fun!

Regards,

Rob

Hi Gents,

I see it's the first anniversary of my joining GMIC today. When I joined I had 7 vics - today I have 28!

Thank you for your company over this last year, and for all your friendly help and advice - it's very much appreciated.

Bill

Hello Bill,

I am sure everyone is more than happy to assist. It is, after all, a bit of a vic community.

Regards,

Rob

Hello Jim,

Thanks for the reply.

That is a nice selection of bars that you have. Do you have any others in your collection?

In regards the more shiny of the two LARGE FLEET bars, (most recent ebay one) have you seen any other examples of this sort and variety; as it looks similar but not the same as the others that you have posted? Have you seen any Army varieties like this?

There seems to be many different varieties of these Army and Navy bars to the US vic. It certainly makes for interesting collecting.

Regards,

Rob

To all,

As indicated here is a pic of one of these very new US navy vic bars.

Any comments welcome?

Regards,

Rob

As some as I can dig out my $12 Large Fleet clasp, I will post it.

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

Hi Rob,

.... Which brings us back to the one on the French site - http://www.medailles...-interalli.html

According to the site the Type 1 shownl has the CASA DA-MOEDA makers mark, and the picture shows the proper diacritical marks on the C and A of Civilisacao.

Maybe the suspension has been repaired, or it's a one-off from the Mint - or a fake?

Bill

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

Having only ever seen type 2s I know they always have a wire suspension but i have never seen a type 1 which I consider to be by far the rarest Victory medal (I have handled 6 Thai, 3 Brazil type 2 but never a Brazil type 1). Do any members own such a rare beastie,

Paul

Yes Paul; I do.

It's interesting that no-one has yet owned up to having seen a Type 1! It raises the possibility that Laslo hadn't either, and was mis-informed about it's suspension.

Bill

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.

I guess we need someone to post a photo of a Type 1 so we can see what's what.

Bill

My type 1 has a wire suspension exactly the same as that illustrated in the Laslo volumes.

Regards,

Rob

In my opinion an Unofficial version of the Romanian Inter-Allied Victory Medal.

The Romanian Cross of War is the gilt Officers version with the dates "1916 - 1918"

he has the clasp "1919" which indicates service outside Romanian proper,

possibly up into Budapest, seeing as the picture is taken by a photographer in Timisoara,

Western Romania.

Kevin in Deva.

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

Hi Rob.

These are the medals of Cuba, Brazil and Siam you see, are the most expensive ..

Lambert

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

Hi Rob.

These are the medals of Cuba, Brazil and Siam you see, are the most expensive ..

Lambert

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

Hi Rob.

These are the medals of Cuba, Brazil and Siam you see, are the most expensive ..

Lambert

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

I made a list of my observations about each Medal and the difficulty of Acquire, also believe that each collector has his or interpretations of each one listed Vic.

lambert

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

Regards,

Rob

While not the Romanian Inter-Allied Victory medal per se a nice view of a recipient,

which I recently acquired:-

Note: He is wearing the Romanian Cross of War backwards to show the dates!

Kevin in Deva.

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 Rob.

Only this three missing medals to complete!

Lambert

Hello Lambert,

Which three are you missing?

Rob

Hi Lambert - Just come across this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.u...984.m1438.l2649

Any good?

Bill

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

Hi Lambert - these bars were meant to be worn on the Medal of the Revolution...

...As you say, the combination is amazing - this must have been a very nimble fellow.

Bill

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

See this item on Ebay, said to be Belgian, but I believe it is a Rare Vic Belgian manufacturing (Manufacturing Riemer) for the Czech. It still has various clips .. No doubt a very interesting Vic!

lambert

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

Well, Lambert, your version has the barrel suspension, while mine is the cylindrical, so you need to get one of these too!

Bill

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 RelicHunter.

Welcome to our group. ! The collection of Vic is addictive, you'll soon find out. It takes some time to get the medals more "scarce", there is still the reproductions that can overcome the lack of the medal "official."

the total list of countries involved with the Inter-Allied Victory Medal are:

Belgium: official Types 1 & 2, Unofficial Type 1, 1a, 2, 3 and at least 4 Repros. (Repro and Unofficial very Scarce)

Brazil: Official Type 1 & 2. (Type 1 Very Rare and Type 2 Rare)

Cuba: Official Type, & at least 3 Repros. (All Rare)

Czechoslovakia: Official Type 1, 2, Reissue Type 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, Repro at least 4 types. (All Scarce)

France: Official Type, Reissue, Unofficial Type 1, 1a, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3, as well as 4 types of Repro. (Repro and Unofficial very Scarce)

Great Britain: Official Type 1, Type 2, Repro 1, 2. (Type 1 scarce)

South Africa: Official Type 1, Type 2, at least 2 Repro Types. (Type 1 scarce)

Greece: Official Type 1, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, and at least 2 Repro Types. (Unofficial Scarce)

Italy: Official Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Reissue 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 4, at least 3 Repro Types. (Unofficial Scarce)

Japan: Official Type 1, Repro Type 2. (Repro Type 2 Rare)

Portugal:Official Type 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, Repro at least 4 known. (All Very Scarce)

Rumania: Official Type 1, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 3a, Repro at least 3Types. ( All Scarce)

Siam / Thailand: Official Type 1, Repro at least 4 types known. (All Very Rare)

United States of America: Official Type 1, 2, 3, Reissue Type 1, 2, Repro Types 1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, So called "Dollar types" (without suspension device) Types 1 & 2.

Regards

Lambert

Hello RelicHunter.

Welcome to our group. ! The collection of Vic is addictive, you'll soon find out. It takes some time to get the medals more "scarce", there is still the reproductions that can overcome the lack of the medal "official."

Regards

Lambert

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

It's actually the first Victory Medal I have.

The first one is always the start of the slippery slope!

I've been meaning to start trying to collect one of each nation, but hadn't really gotten around to it until now.

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

Just picked up this Japanese vic. Looks like a good original Japanese manufacture. Thoughts?

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