Kingdom of Iraq - Order of King Faisal I - Reproduction for Sale

[oamotme]

Gentlemen,

This Order was instituted in 1949 and became obsolete in 1958. The Order was made by Garrard & Co. of London.

La Galerie Numismatique has one for auction in their 20-21 April sale with an estimate of Euro100,000-Euro150,000 + 35%fees.

The set offered is a modern construct and does not quite follow the design of the original - the lack of a crown on the star and the different suspension on the badge and other discrepancies.

The set also bears what appears to be a cast Spink back plate - the website images are not clear. Spink did not manufacture the Order of King Faisal.

It is a very scarce award - in almost 40 years of collecting I have never seen one for sale. I have seen a real one on display in the King Feisal Foundation in Riyadh - a display of the awards of the late King Feisal of Saudi Arabia. There is also one in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle - awarded to Prince Phillip but it is not on display.

Caveat emptor,

Owain