Belgium Unknown Belgian Medal

[censlenov]

A Long overdue shipment has finally arrived and this medal was one of the pieces inside. Can anyone tell me what it is??? What kind of mintage? What was it awarded for? Did i come in different Grades?

HELP!!!

Chris

[censlenov]

Other side

[Gldank]

Hello Chris, I have seen this medal in catalogs before. Here is what I think. The inscription "navigation maritime" refers to sailors and technicians working on a ship but it can also refer to ships in a harbor.

I think there are two options:

This is a school medal for merchant sailors in training or a medal for Harbor Captains. The reverse shows the seal of the Belgian state. Back in the 1800s, there were city run maritime schools for fishermen and sailors in seaport towns. It would be normal to place the Belgian seal on the back of medals to graduating students.

This medal may also have been awarded to a Harbor Captain or somebody working in the harbor. There are many public servants, even today, working in customs or doing state work in harbors keeping track of the maritime transport (navigation maritime). My guess is that this medal was awarded captain or a lieutenant of a harbor which we call today, ?Harbor Pilots.?

Edited March 28, 2009 by Gldank

[Kev in Deva]

May I ask what are the dimensions of the medal & weight?

Any maker marks or silver hallmarks?

Kevin in Deva. :cheers:

[censlenov]

I don't have a fine enough scale to weigh it but its 32mm in dia. its made of silver (no hallmarks) the designers name is on it and says J. Lerglerco (could be Lerglercq). When i got this in the mail it had attached to the top a mount from a british ISM held on by glue. So i submersed it in nail polish remover and the glue came of easily with no harm to the medal.