Bahawalpur - 1904 Birth of Heir Apparent Medal

[oamotme]

Gentlemen,

I have had for some years one of these medals in bronze/copper but missing its suspension - see below.

Recently I have been offered 'as is' a silver and bronze/copper examples of the medals complete with suspension. I am well aware that over the years a number of the Bahawalpur series of medals have been copied or reproduced. To be fair to vendor, with whom I have excellent dealings over many years, he has stated the pair are 'as is' and he makes no claim as to their status.

Perhaps one of you may have a view? My 'gut feel' is that the pair have a more recent past.

Kind regards,

Owain

 

[paul wood]

I am guilty of the sin of envy

Paul

[oamotme]

Paul,

Great to see you back on line.

What do you think? Are the one with suspension original? They look different to my 'without' suspension piece - mine has higher definition - e.g. moustache and epaulettes.  I think they are copies???

Owain

Edited March 30, 2018 by oamotme

[922F]

Owain, These may well be copies---original details [hair, necklaces, awards] look more like your post 1 example in my experience.  Do these offerings have a swivel suspension?  Of the handful I've handled, most have swivel suspensions, well defined 'claws' and thin circumference rims.   Compare with https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/baldwins/catalogue-id-srbal10013/lot-65390621-7009-49d7-a50b-a441017750b3  or  http://www.royalark.net/Pakistan/bahawal9.htm.   An example in the Bahawal Museum in 1987 had what appeared to be a 1911 Delhi Durbar medal type swivel suspension, however. 

Still if the price is right these might be useful as fillers...   

[oamotme]

Thanks for the Saleroom link - this example - see below (copyright Baldwins), and indeed the 'royalark' example - see below (copyright royalark), are like my suspensionless example. A visible difference is the tail on the Q of Sadiq on the reverse upper inscription - it extends both ways on the 'original' and the lower inscription Sadiq Q has a longer tail on the 'original'. Yes, the pair on offer would be nice as fillers but the price of $100 and $600 respectively does not make them a sensible purchase.  Owain