Hauptmann

Reverse: [attachmentid=61700] Well, I'm afraid that's it for my Short Snorter collection... at least for now. I'm always on the lookout for more. Again I hope these have been of interest. Also again many apologies if these are in the wrong section. If so, Gordon please feel free to transfer them wherever you think they might make a better fit. Many thanks, Dan

I'm not positive on this last one but I got it in a job lot from a dealers bin in the hopes that it was indeed a Short Snorter to add to my collection. Obverse: [attachmentid=61699]

Closeup of signatures: [attachmentid=61697] Reverse: [attachmentid=61698]

This one I found particularly interesting. It's inscribed as being from members of the crew of the only ship in the Cyprian Navy! I believe it's called the S.S. Evagordas. There are signatures from several of the ships officers, parts of which I've found hard to read. Perhaps one of you can make them out a bit better. Obverse: [attachmentid=61696]

Hi all, Hoping these are not considered to be for this section. Although not a coin or medallion they are related to the military and I had no idea of a better place to put them. I'm also hoping they're of interest and if accepted in this section that other members may also have examples they might consider posting. It's my understanding that "Short Snorters" are pieces of currency that are signed by the crew of an aircraft, ship, etc. and whenever said crew members meet in a bar whoever does not have their "Short Snorter" is then obligated to buy a round for all the other crew present. Sort of the father of the "Challenge Coin". I checked on Google and here's a link to all the pages I found which may be of interest: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=s...G=Google+Search My first example is a Hawaii Silver Certificate dated 1935 and with a written date of 12/21/44. Obverse: [attachmentid=61694] Reverse: [attachmentid=61695]

Hi all, Here's one I hoped might be of interest. Found it in a junk box many moons ago. Just couldn't resist it. It's a bit smaller than a U.S. dime and about half a thick. [attachmentid=61690] [attachmentid=61691] The first side has a bit of crud over some of the design but I'm loath to try to remove it. Always been a bit adverse to the cleaning of coins since it's hammered into us in every coin book and publication. The other side is much better in that respect. I especially love the tiny representations of a golf ball on each side used to divide the inscription. I've no idea if these are common or scarce or what if any value they may have. But I've yet to see another. Dan

Hi Charles, Just fantastic! I can't get enough of your collection and love the fact that it's growing all the time. And even this one that you feel is a yawner... love it! And all the cases to boot! You know how I love cases! I'm also in love with all the miniature devices they put on their ribbons. Even this last one... I'd be proud to have such in my (so far) tiny Hungarian collection. The miniature really is icing on the cake and adds so much to it. The medal is nice enough but the ribbon with mini and the case just make it shine in my eyes. And even the smaller (assuming smaller... have mostly seem pics) badges just look terrific in their own cases. Soon as I have more $$'s coming in (hopefully soon... fingers crossed!) I definitely want to try and dive into the deeper end of the pool. I envy you being on the spot and able to find such terrific pieces and get so many great deals. Keep em' coming as I for one will never tire of them. Dan

Hi Tom, First off, great pieces! Secondly, as I stated in my reply to Gordon I'm more familiar with voids on currency than on coins. Could you elaborate a bit? I'd assumed that it was done as a cutout for jewelry. But seems there's a deeper meaning here and I'm dying to learn more about it. I've been active in numismatics since I was about seven years old and I just turned 44 this past August. But as evidenced here I still have much to learn. Thanks, Dan

Hi Gordon, Many thanks for having me. I've actually been wanting to post on the coin forum for quite some time as I've had these as well as some other pieces that I thought might be of interest. Just a case of squeezing out the time these days. Hopefully I'll be able to pop on a few more before too long... perhaps over the weekend as it is a long one this time round. I know about voiding on currency but didn't know they did the same with coins. Seems Tom knows so he's my next reply. This is a great forum and being a long time numismatist I'm hoping I'll be able to contribute a bit more of interest. Will do my best. And of course I hope to learn even more which is always the best part. Dan

Hi Tom, Many thanks! Guess I'd kinda expected some moans, sobbing, etc. when I showed these... although again I agree that they are still very beautiful pieces. And knowing I didn't have to pay an arm, leg and a couple of eyeballs for them certainly helps that feeling along. And even the Zep... at least the hole is small and not ragged and is not in the central design. I know there are people who do repairs and some of their work is really quite nice. But I've never taken the leap. But on something like this I don't think it could hurt and if done really well would actually help. It will never be as desireable as a higher grade piece or one in the same grade without the damage. But I have noticed these last few years how even cull coins and those with damage have become much more in demand. I think because of new collectors being priced out of the market for the better pieces. Been there, done that! Anyhow I'm glad I posted them as it's nice to know others appreciate them as much as I do. Thanks, Dan

Hi all, I'm hoping for a Commander but don't have one yet. Hope no one minds but here's my contribution. I also have the Legionaire and mini (cased) but need the Officer level award as well. Also need a case for my Chief Commander but so far no luck. [attachmentid=61566] [attachmentid=61567] I have no history on this or my Legionaire nor do I know the makers, etc. Here's my original post which includes the other Legionaire and the mini which are on page two: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=10730 Terrific pieces gentlemen. I've always felt these are among the most beautiful awards our country has to offer. Dan

Well, thank you my friend! I'm very happy that there's more than one of me out there that feels that way. Like I say, I saw these and simply could not resist. In fact, if I remember correctly, I saw them and put them on hold. Got all the way home... just had to have them, scrounged my $$'s and drove all the way back (an hour each way!) and got them. I've managed to get a few things like that over time. Another example is flattened coins. My grandmother had one in her collection which I now have. It was a quarter and was put on the tracks as the Presidential Train went through... I believe it was Wilson's as we're related to him. So now anytime I see one in a junk box I grab it as I know what they are. Also coins that have bullet holes through them. My first was in a large lot of cull coins my father got for me in a trade. It's a buffalo nickel... I believe it's dated in the 30's but I'd have to check. So I always kind of imagined it was in the pocket of a gangster when he "got it" and someone kept it as a souvenir. Looks like it was hit by a .32 or .38... again it's been awhile since I took it out and looked at it. But other than the neat hold and the bending out on the exit side the coin looks normal with all details and such intact. I also love some error coins. Managed to find a very nice South American (can't remember the country off hand) silver coin similar to our (U.S.) Liberty Seated Quarter with terrific doubling on it. Also a nice V (Liberty) Nickel with part of the date nearly missing due to die problems. A couple of Bust Halves with die cracks but that was fairly common on those. But they're still neat. Very glad you like these... once you're back over in the states and you come visit our neck of the woods you'll have to remind me and you'll be able to see them in person. Dan

Hi all, I guess I've been exceptionally lucky with Kim. She's always been extremely supportive of my various hobbies and interests. But I've always been the same way with her's as well, which doesn't hurt. There have only been a couple of occassions where she's gotten a bit squeamish over a purchase but even then she grins and bears it. And although she's done well on a few occassions in getting me things (my observer badge is an excellent example... she got it for like $16 as a repro and turns out it's an original! Here's the link to that one: http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7484 ) I love she generally doesn't know enough to feel she's getting me something good that I want, don't have and have it be a good deal to boot. So quite often she'll just say here's yay amount so you can get something you really want. Face it, on much of what we collect you have to really know what you're looking for. It's like in coins... sometimes a mint mark makes all the difference... and unless you know that you'll end up getting what you think is right but it's totally wrong. But God bless her she really does try and she's made me a very happy man. Plus she's not one to go for jewelry, fancy cloths and stuff like that. She gets the biggest kick out of traveling and so do I so that works well. And she likes to go to Sci-Fi conventions with her friends (and Nick and I when it's one we're intro'd in) so that's always a good thing to do for her. All in all we've worked things out quite well. What can I say... she's my life, my love, my best friend and all I could have dreamed of in a mate. Can't ask for more than that. Dan

Hi Charles, I love that cased badge!!!! Beautiful... but again I tend to be a sucker for stuff in cases. Hey, in case you or anyone else is intro'd, I posted those coins I mentioned in post #132. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1285...mp;#entry124500 Figured it would be better to put in the coin section as here it might be deemed . Dan

[attachmentid=61544] I've always had a soft spot in my heart for underdogs and also I happen to love the uniform/helmet the Kaiser wears on the one coin and have always loved Zeppelins. Until I found these the prices on these two tended to be out of my range. But when I saw these I just knew I had to rescue them. I don't remember what I paid for the Kaiser but don't believe it was very much... perhaps $10 or $15 at the most. The Zepp is marked $60 (got both of these quite a number of years ago) for an undamaged one in similar condition but this one was $25 and I believe I got it knocked down to around $15 or thereabouts. Just couldn't resist and even with their damage I still love them. Dan

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Hi all, Charles actually posted something along these lines in the Soviet section in regards to a Hungarian award he has. It got me to thinking about these two pieces I have. Instead of posting in his post which may have been considered I thought it better to put them here. Hope they might be of interest to someone. [attachmentid=61537]

Hi Charles, Trust me... it happens in all collectible hobbies. Numismatics for instance. I've seen so many potentially rare coins that have ended up in junk boxes or used for scrap gold or silver because they were mistreated over the years. On the one hand, if they have a slight ding, dent or light scratches on them and are sufficiently rare then they still have value to some collectors. Some are so rare one is lucky to get one in any condition and it's treasured regardless of any damage or imperfection. Whereas common dates and such are only considered collectible in the higher grades. I've picked up a few over time. One is a German silver coin with the eagle on one side and the Graf Zeppelin on the other. Another is one with Kaiser Wilhelm and his wife, him in his dress uniform with the large eagle atop his pickelhaube. Both are rather pricey in half way decent grades. But the Zep coin had been holed at some point... the Kaiser piece was actually cut out, probably both to make some form of jewelry out of them. But I got them at very good prices and I also tend to love underdogs. Needless to say I see such things as rare dates in otherwise high grade with a hole in them or a series of bad scratches or gouges and I could nearly break down and cry. But then again, if more had survived they'd not be as rare and desireable. It's the attrician such things suffer that bring on rareties and high prices... at least in most cases. The old case of supply and demand. Also, terrific groups and a fantastic collection. I too would love to be able to obtain one or more such groups, especially as complete as these are. They are a beautiful sight to behold. Here's hoping you're bless with many more in the years to come. But save a few for the rest of us! I suspect that along with myself there are several others who are hooked or sorely tempted to become hooked after seeing your great collection. Keep up the good work! Dan

I'm ROFL... good one Ralph! Thanks for the laugh. Great box... betting there are not too many of those floating around out there. Dan

If it is then he was definitely having a bad day. Just doesn't look like that great a pic at the very least. Dan

Hi Christophe, This all got me to thinking about other living WWI vets and vets from other wars in general... not just French but from all over. Found a couple of interesting things that I thought I'd pass on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_vet..._of_World_War_I http://www.faqfarm.com/Q/How_many_World_Wa...are_still_alive Dan

I don't think that's Von Pappen. Looks a bit like him but don't think it is. Again if it is it would probably be mentioned on the back of the card. Dan