RobW

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

Hello Paul,

​Firstly, welcome to this forum. I am sure there will be much information here for you to draw on and like-minded collectors to converse with.

As for your illustrated example; the medal and the bar looks good. The ribbon on the other hand has been taken from a more recent production, most likely one of the reissue varieties that were released in the 1980's onward. This has the characteristic 'crimp brooch' whereas the original ribbon had the wrap brooch.

Not knowing the background to the medal I would not profer an opinion as to how and why the latter ribbon was used.

Regards,
Rob

Bill,

You have listed this italian vic as the reproduction type 4 in your book.

Noting that your comments indicate it was sand casting and marked 'Made in France' could you provide details of the provenance and background of this example?

Regards,
Rob

Jim,

 

The repro type-2, I have, is marked MADE IN FRANCE.  I can now add a manufacturers name to this medal in my book's new expanded edition.

It is this constant adding of smaller detail, in such a forum, that can expand already known information; or alternatively totally change someones previous interpretation of existing information.

I am hopeful other vic collectors, other than the 'usual suspects', will continue to add to this information store here on the forum.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Bill and Jim,

In answer to these two posts:

Bill,

 

You are right it could be a worn punch, but I feel the other readers , other than you, me and Rob who own one of this type medal could help us all get to finish line by posting their markings.

 

Look back at GMIC past posting I found these by Rob and hopefully he will post the marking on his medals to compare to yours.

 

Good Show Bill,

 

The repro type-2, I have, is marked MADE IN FRANCE.  I can now add a manufacturers name to this medal in my book's new expanded edition. Rob said he had several of these medals back in post #26 so I am sure he will post something.

 

Regards, Jim

I am not located with my collection at the moment. It is in long-term storage and will be so until at least the middle of next year.

Consequently I will not be in a position to add any further pictures of makers marks on the edges of my French produced US vics at this time. As far as the different varieties is concerned I don't have much to add to the comments already posted by me (#26) although since that time I have obtained another French produced US vic that has no markings on the edge at all. It is slightly smaller in diameter than that usually seen and has the characteristic fine details of a French manufactured medal. It is most similar to Bill's most recently posted example but has minor die differences. It is, again, with my collection in long-term storage.

I am hopeful that other collectors will also present pics of French made vics in their collections.

Regards,
Rob

Bill,

Here is an illustration of one of the Arthus-Bertrand marks.

Source: 'La Médaille coloniale, Guide du collectionneur', Patrick Binet, PBCO Editions, 2010

Regards,
Rob

Hi Peron,

Victory statue by João da Silva detail of the monument comemorating the portuguese death soldiers on the 1º WW on the city of Évora Portugal...

 

 

 

The similarities between this statue and the obverse of the Portuguese vic, are obvious.

Thanks for posting this picture.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Bill,

Hi Gents,

 

My latest acquisition is what I think is a Delande repro of the US Vic - what Jim's book classifies as Reproduction Type 3. It has verdigris on both sides - looks like it was splashed with water which wasn't dried off.

 

And the stamp on the edge:

 

 

I can't decide whether it's a mis-shapen (or mis-struck) Delande square stamp or something else.

 

All comments welcome.

 

Bill

This example was not produced by the French firm of Delande. It was, however, produced by the French firm of Arthus-Bertrand.

The triangle shaped makers mark, which you have highlighted, belongs to the firm of Arthus-Bertrand. The letters 'AB' can be clearly seen on the left edge (as viewed) of the mark.

It is a nice example which, with some gentle cleaning and soaking of the verdigris, should come up nicely. The good condition French manufactured ribbon is a bonus as well.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Jerry,

Hello Jenny,

Welcome aboard. I am sure that you will find a range of information on the vic series to satisfy you.

Regards,
Rob

My apologies for mis-identifying you as Jenny. Fat fingers on the keyboard!

Regards,
Rob

Hello Jenny,

An excelent thread, great to see all this information on the variations that I did not knwo existed. I have a few VM's, some in groups but most on their own.

Welcome aboard. I am sure that you will find a range of information on the vic series to satisfy you.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Bill,

Hi Gents,

My latest acquisition - a Romania Unofficial Type 1 ....

...the reverse, looking pretty standard, although there are signs of double striking in the 4 names at the bottom of the planchet .....

... but the obverse looks very odd - a double strike, with the second strike off-set to the right by a couple of mm. The ball(?) suspension is curiously mis-shapen as well and seems to be slightly off-set to the right, looking at the obverse.

All comments welcome.

Bill

This example is an unofficial 'Reverse N' variety.

It is not unusual to see 'double' or 'overstrikes' on the Romanian vics as they were produced by local manufacturers.

A nice example of a variety that is becoming much harder to find.

Regards,
Rob

Jim,

On I did a google search, I then clicked images and saw this, so I do not know. Miniature could be right a I do not collect them

Jim

It is indeed a miniature. They are seen with ball suspenders as well as thick wire/cylinder type suspenders. They are seen n a variety of diameters much like the French miniatures.

Regards,

Rob

Hello muckaroon,

When I purchased this medal fairly recently I said to my wife this is either an original or a very good copy. But I only paid £18/$27 for it so no big deal if it is a copy.

That is probably the crux of the matter. As long as you, as the collector, is happy with the piece, then that is all that really matters.

We, as collectors, can sometimes get too wrapped up in technicalities and details. As long as the collector is happy with their purchase, and the piece; irrespective of whether or not it is an 'original' or a 'copy' then all should be well. It is, as your last post shows, a fair companion to the other type pieces you have.

Welcome aboard the vic collection train. It may stop at many different stations but it goes in whatever direction the collector wants.

As I mentioned in an earlier post 'It is a nice example'.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Muckaroon1960,

Hi Everyone, just been reading up on this thread, a great source of information and I like the interest it has sparked amongst you all. I have just recently bought a Cuban Victory medal on the assumption that it may well be a French copy from the 1920's? The medal has the Charles signature but no edge markings. Would appreciate any feed back on this please.

It also had with it type of securing pin as attached to French military medals. I didn't part with much cash for this so no great loss. It displays with my Italian and Serbian Victory medals.

A nice example that you have obtained.

Good patina and a nice strike. Cuban vics, with or without the edge markings, in good condition are becoming more difficult to find.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Peron,

And what about this model? Opinions? fake? reestrike?

To echo Bill's comments; this example was produced by the French firm of M.Delande. It is now becoming much more difficult to find in good condition.

Regards,
Rob

Hello David,

The Portuguese official type 1 vic is probably one of the rarest varieties to obtain. Depending on which collector/source you refer to there were quite a limited number produced. There are distinct obverse and reverse differences compared to the official type 2.

For reference there is an example posted on Pierre-Yves Raynier's website at:

http://www.medailles1914-1918.fr/portugal-interal.html

Regards,
Rob

Hello paja,

That is certainly very interesting indeed. Given that we are now amongst the 100 year centenary of the Great War we should probably expect to see more of these commemorative type medals appearing.

Thanks for the information and pics.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Bill,

I think you have two official S.Johnson varieties. I have seen many of this type and there have been numerous small variations in manufacture, patina, and finish. Considering the estimated number produced it would not be surprising for some variation.

As has been alluded to earlier in this post, and in comparison pics (#64 & #65) the Reissue type 1 has a much shallower level of detail, no dots on the reverse inscription. The really clear sign is the much wider staffa suspender and thinner planchet overall. I don't have access to my collection so I can't show a side-by-side comparison pic of the two types with ribbons removed.

Regards,
Rob

Hi Bill,

Hi Gents,

These two are both the Official Type 1, but one has a smaller ball and larger suspension ring than the other:

The balls are just over .5mm different in diameter, while the rings are quite visibly different. Is this significant enough to call them sub-variants or varieties?

Bill

I have seen such variety and would attribute it to manufacturer variations. There are also variations in the finish of the medals as well with some having a very dark patina with others a more shiny surface.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Peron,

Here's the set of medals that belonged to a portuguese officer ...

A nice group to the officer it is. It is particularly good in that the campaign medal shows service in Angola as well as later service in France (and at the Battle of Lys). The Portuguese campaign in the colony in Angola is often forgotten in comparison to the stalemate warfare in France.

Regards,
Rob

Hello David,

There are a number of minor variations in the naming area of the Lorioli-Castelli variety. Some of the name inscriptions are more truncated than others. While I have seen three distinct naming sub-varieties I have not seen such an example where the 'Castelli' only has one 'L'. I would suggest a close-up look at the inscription and you may indeed find the detail.

Regards,
Rob

Hello Peron,

A nice pickup of a variety that is not seen that often.

Regards,
Rob

Hi David,

A nice example you have picked up. Did you manage to obtain all three of his medals or just the vic? The solder joint on the obverse of the suspension barrel is very noticeable.

Regards,

Rob