Offering medals, orders and badges from European countries and others. WW1, WW2 and prior. France,Italy,Spain,Portugal,Belgium,Netherlands,Czechoslovakia,Russia,Serbia,Montenegro,Romania,Sweden,Finland,Hungary,Austria,Austro-Hungary, Greece, Egypt, Balkans.

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Australia / Brazil / Bolivia / Comoro / Cuba / China / Estonia / International Orders / Iraq / Korea / Lebanon / Lithuania / Malta / Monaco / Morocco / New Zealand / Pakistan / Persia-Iran / Russia / South Africa / Syria / Thailand-Siam / Ukraine / Uruguay / Vietnam / Yugoslavia / Others / Selected Sold Items

Australia- WW1 Victory medal. Inscribed: 'Victory, The Triumph of Liberty and Justice, the Peace of 1919 - Australia'. Silvered bronze, struck by Stokes (marked). No ribbon. Attractive design, very interesting medal. 27.3mm dia. Item # Misc-75 (42)

Sydney University Regiment cap badge. Black lacquered brass, marked on reverse: 'Stokes Melb'. Fine early quality, showing light wear and no damage. 54mm x 54mm. Item # Misc-47. (28)

China. Communist. Liberation of Manchuria commemorative 1948 medal. Issued to all participating in the campaign. Bronze with red, blue, yellow and green lacquers. Considerable chipping. Original ribbon, soiled. Original pin for fastening. 45.2mm wide. Rare, original. Item #Misc-34. (40)

China, Military Service Medal 1954. Awarded to members of armed forces participating in war. Gilt and enamel (flake to left arm of star) centre disk mounted upon silver (plated) star which in turn is mounted upon gilt star. Bronze suspension with original ribbon and safety type pin (proper). Reverse insribed in Chinese, dates 1954. 2. 17 below. Worn condition but quite reasonable piece. All original. 42mm diameter. Item # Misc-24 (32)

Estonia, 1923-44 Diligence decoration of the Fire Service silver medal. Original ribbon lightly soiled, attractive design. Most likely manufactured by firm of R. Tavast. Medal was awarded for minimum 5 years of service, also for merit and distinguished service (if serving less then 5 years). Interesting is fact that Estonian Fire Service diligence awards were the ONLY decorations of Estonian Republic allowed during German occupation (1941-1944). Same system of awards was re-established in 1997. Silvered bronze, original safety-pin type fastener. 27.5mm in diameter. Shows age, no damage. Not a commonly found medal. Item # Misc-6 (78)

Estonia, The Commemorative Medal of the Estonian War of Liberation (Vabadussoja Malestusmedal haavatulindiga). Bronze, original ribbon for foreigners (regular ribbon was 3-fold). Maker marked: Timus (this was the local firm of A.Timus). Very good condition. Original safety-pin type fastener. Item # Misc-71 *SOLD*

Korea - Republic, Korean War Service Medal. All who participated were eligible for this what's officially called '6.25 Incident Participation Medal' (June 25th 1950). There were a few types of the award; this is the late 1950's issue in matte bronze. Some earlier pieces had enamelled disk to the ribbon. Most nations participating in Korean War approved their troops to accept the medal immediately. However, it took the US 48 years to approve acceptance of the Medal. Bronze medal with matte lacquer. Original ribbon lightly faded, original clasp with pin present. 33.8mm diameter. Very good condition. Item # Misc-25 *SOLD*

Lithuania, unknown badge (exact example not found in our reference materials) but somewhat resembles Police badges. Die-struck in brass, shows wear. Post on reverse bent, no backplate. All Lithuanian badges are rare. 50mm x 52mm. Item # Misc-69 (75).

Persia - Homayoun Medal, silver class. This award was founded in late 1920's in three grades: gold, silver and bronze. Officially awarded between 1925-1941. The Homayoun Medal was awarded to military personnel and civil servants; the gold class is very rare. Greatly resembles the old Order of Lion and the Sun (which was in fact replaced with the Order of Homayoun by the Reza Pahlavi after the overthrow of the Qajar dynasty). Finely struck silver medal with original silver wire suspension. Obverse shows lion and sun surrounded by floral motif. Reverse with Farsi script (From top to bottom): "Be paadaash-e-Khedmat; Pahlavi Shahanshah-e-Iran; 25 Azar 1304". Translation: "For honor & service; Pahlavi, the king of kings of Iran; December 16, 1925". Proper ribbon showing discoloration and fading is also original. Complete with original wooden case of issue, maker's stamp to white satin lid lining: Arthus Bertrand, Paris. Hinge cover satin is torn. A very fine example of this hard to find medal. 33mm diameter. (195) Item #Misc-39.*SOLD*

Syria, Decoration for bravery - 3rd class Award created on 20 July 1964 and is awarded for bravery in action and for distinguished conduct in the armed forces. Original ribbon, blank reverse. 40mm diameter. Bronze gilt. Item # Misc-60. *SOLD*

Vietnam (South) Armed Forces Honour medal. Very good condition. Original ribbon. Plain reverse. Item # Misc. 4. (22)

Canadian Masonic decoration in gilded silver and enamels. Beautifully crafted. Reverse engravings: Presented to: Em. Kt. J. E. Davidson by Gibson Preceptory No. 39 Jan 19th, 1961. Complete with ribbon. Item # Misc-26 (45)

Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Order of Rebekah - silver gilt decoration. White enamelled cross with red enamel heart and crown superimposed. Suspended from beautifully crafted oval badge, small diamond imitation within raised star to center. Horizontal locking pin, cross inscribed: 'Be just Merciful Honorable and Brave' PM (Patriarchs Militant?). Riveted construction, number 8 impressed to top part. 42.5mm wide (cross). Complete with lightly worn case of issue by: 'The Lilley Co. Columbus, Ohio'. This company made insignia between 1951-1953. Beautiful set. Item # Misc-40 (65)

Centurions 1911 badge. Competitive walking has a long history in Europe. This is a membership badge of the "Centurions", an exclusive club founded in 1911 in Great Britain uniting people who have walked 100 miles within 24 hours. Hallmarked sterling silver badge, dark blue enamels. Button-hole slide type fastener. Hallmarks indicate year of manufacture to be 1953, Birmingham assay. Maker: J.D.& Co. Shows wear and age, some surface scratches to enamels (no major chipping). Very attractive badge and hard to find. 31mm in diameter. Item # Misc-50. *SOLD*

Cuba- Interallied Victory Medal. A rare ORIGINAL by Charles, struck by A. Chobillon in Paris - properly hallmarked to rim (Bronze and AC mark). Original ribbon in poor condition but it is rare to find this medal with ribbon at all (usually replaced or missing). According to Laslo, there were some 6000-7000 issued - hard to believe given numbers in 'circulation'. Medal nicely toned with age. A must in an Interallied Medal Collection. Item # Misc-80 *SOLD*

Ukrainian Sicz (or Sitcz) Riflemen (Ukrainski Sichovi Striltsi). Extraordinarily rare badge of this WW1 era force which numbered around 2500 men. USS was formed in 1914 at the initiative of the Supreme Ukrainian Council. The first volunteers came from Ukrainian para-military organizations (like Sicz Society, Sokil and Plast). This was the only all-Ukrainian unit in the Austro-Hungarian Army (sometimes called the Ukrainian Legion), trained in Transcarpathia and sent to the Russian Front in the Karpathian mountains. Later on, USS joined with the Petlura's force fighting against the Bolsheviks. In 1919 it became reorganized as the First Brigade of the Ukrainian Galician Army and fought against Poland during Polish-Ukrainian War. In 1920 the unit was forced to capitulate. This was by far the best Ukrainian military formation during and after theFirst World War.
Offered here is a very early example made in Austria by firm of: REINEMER & SPIEGEL VIEN VII.'. Beautiful enamels intact. Bronze gilt. Attractive design. Badge lightly vaulted. 25.5mm in diameter. Enamelled versions were purpotedly made for officers. Non-enamelled versions are documented. Some very crude locally made badges were made during and after WW1. See Mr. Y. Semotiuk's book (Ukrainian Military badges), page 38. A must for Ukrainian or WW1 badge collector. All early Ukrainian militaria is very hard to find and often reproduced. Item # Misc-84 *SOLD*

Cuba, pre-Revolution. Order for Naval Valour, 4th class. Display mounted on seemingly original ribbon. Worn condition, appears to be brass. Rare decoration in any class. Thick planchet, considerably well detailed. 38mm wide. Item # Misc-78 *SOLD*

Ottoman Empire, Greek War (Yunan Harbi) 1897 commemorative medal. Roughly 130,000 such medals were awarded to participants. Struck in silver. Few light edge dings but not detractive. Complete with old thin ribbon in silk. Overall very good condition. 24mm in diameter. Item #Misc-42. *SOLD*

Peru, Republic Era, Breast star of the Distinguished Service Order. Grand Cross or Grand Officer. Beautiful design finely crafted in silver gilt by Casa Nacional de Moneda, Lima, Peru (marked to reverse plaque). Vaulted. Enamels in good condition; some light cracking, no visible chips. Vertical pin and catch hooks. A few scratches to reverse. Item #Misc-46. *SOLD*

Russia, Commemorative medal for War of 1812-13. Silver, the 16.5mm type. Very rare variation. Unusual hallmark stamping beneath the suspension eye. Very good condition, great relief. Ribbon is original but very faded. These were considered as dress medals. Very rare and interesting. Item # Misc-29 *SOLD*

Order of the Knights of Pythia. Class unknown. This international fraternity was founded in USA in 1864. Badge in bronze gilt with painted centre. Letters FCB represent Order's motto: "FRIENDSHIP, CHARITY and BENEVOLENCE". Complete with black ribbon. Uniface badge. Great details to all. Some paint chipping. 52.5mm x 39.6mm. Appears to be fairly old. Item # Misc. 2 *SOLD*

WW 1 Interallied Victory medal, Siamese type. This was the least issued series hence the rarest of all, with approximately only 1,500 made. In my opinion, this is a fabulous copy of one. Certainly made to fool even well-informed collectors. Details are very crisp, proper cylindrical suspension. 36mm in diameter. Proper ribbon. Other copies I have seen were not even close in level of detail. Would make for a great filler in your Interallied Victory medal collection for fraction of the cost of original. Some collectors indicated that it could be an official re-issue, but I doubt it as no sources indicate such an issuance. Item # Misc-3 *SOLD*

Persia - Iran, Order of Lion and Sun, 1872 type. Grand Officer (2nd class) badge of the Order. Silver (multiple french 'boar head' punch-marks), finest quality manufacturing by Kretly (full plaque on reverse). Multi part construction, superbly detailed center enamelling of sun behind resting lion. No chipping or cracking to any of the enamelled parts. Gilt, green enamelled rays separately attached to main body. Original period ribbon (light fading) complete with ties. Condition is near mint. Appears to be circa 1880 - early 1900's. Order became obsolete in 1925. Later revival is of considerably different appearance. Badge 75mm in diameter, suspension star 34mm wide. Stunnig piece! Item # Misc-7 *SOLD*

Ethiopia, Imperial Civil War Merit Medal. Issued to honour Ethiopian resistance against Eritrea-based Italian forces from 1936-41 (1928-33 in the Ethiopian calendar). Blackened bronze medal and ribbon suspension bar. Well-struck. Original ribbon in good condition. Interesting and unusual piece. 35mm diameter. Item # Misc-8. *SOLD*

Lithuania, Order of Gediminas (founded in 1928); bronze medal of merit in original box of issue by Huguenin (Swiss maker). Complete with original ribbon and stick pin fastener. Designer: Jokas J. Burba (marked to reverse) along with maker name. 36mm dia. Medal in great condition, box showing aging (lid inscription visible). Rare set. Item # Misc-9 *SOLD*

Egypt, Republic, Order of Istiklal (Independence), Badge of the Order. Abdul Nasser era. Silver and bronze gilt with enamels. Multi-part construction, deeply vaulted. Either Cairo or Alexandria hallmark. Suspended from wide neck ribbon (few pulls) with bullion fringes (a few missing). 65 mm x 93 mm to top of decorative suspension. Beautifully made piece. Item # Misc-10 *SOLD*

Order of Malta, neck insignia for the Knight of Magistral Grace. Silver gilt. Great condition to all. Complete with proper neck ribbon (45cm long) and ties. The Order of Malta is among the oldest chivalric organizations (orders) we know. Its history is long and complicated. Insignia have changed over the centuries. The badge presented here is most likely from 1920's - 1950's. Made by known Italian firm of "Tanfani, Bertarelli" (marked to small plate on bow's reverse). Rich enamels, nice gilding. Handsome award. No cracking to enamels. Cross - 49mm wide. Overall height (bottom of the cross to top of ribbon clasp) 145mm! Crown 39mm wide. Item # Misc-11 *SOLD*

Switzerland, WW1-related medal. This country did not issue any military (service, gallantry, etc.) medals pertaining to WW1. In this light, other than numerous shooting medals, Swiss WW1-related medals are fairly hard to come by. Presented here is a medal given to supporters of the soldiers and their families who took active part during WW1 (largely standing guard). Also bear in mind that number of Swiss fought on both sides of the 'fence'. Oval medal in bronze. Designer's name (Hans Frei) at the bottom. Reverse inscribed in 3 languages (French, German, Italian). Very interesting medal. Item # Misc-14 *SOLD*

Ireland, Emergency Service Medal, 1939-46, Local Defence Force type. Bronze medal by "Lavrence Campbell R.H.A." Lovely design. Complete with original ribbon (lightly soiled) on bronze suspension clasp. 35mm diameter. Item #Misc-15. *SOLD*

Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus. Please read below for more details on the history of the Order. Grand Cross badge and breast star. Fairly modern vintage, European Priory (I am not sure which one - possibly French or Austrian). Award with military suspension (shield of arms). Good details to all. Awards in gilt. Badge is of two-piece construction, star of three (mounting rivets visible to reverse). Complete with replacement ribbon (silk). Both pieces featuring Order's motto to centre disk: 'Atavis et Armis'. Fastening screw-plate missing from star (still easily attached to any surface for display though). Great looking set and of high class of the Order. I've never had a pleasure to offer the Grand Cross insignia until now. Star lightly vaulted. Badge: 62.5mm x 125mm, star: 96mm in diameter! All enamels intact. Item # Misc-16 *SOLD*

Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus in Jerusalem (and Mount Carmel). The original Order was one of the oldest amongst the chivalric organizations dating back to the Crusades (when it was called the Militia of Saint Lazarus). After many changes, this once Italian Royal House Order (see my Italian page with Orders of St. Maurice & Lazarus) had followers in France as Knights of Saint Lazarus, which in turn became the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Lazarus of Jerusalem in 1608. The Order (as an institution) ceased to exist in 1780. The current revival is more of the International Order and it dates back to roughly 1910. With Priories in Germany, UK, Scotland, Poland, France, Hungary, Austria, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Romania and others, the Order is rather well established. Presented here is neck badge of the Commander with military suspension (shield of arms). Badge in gilt with green enamel. Made by firm of A. Chobillion in Paris(small impressed mark of an 'X' and letters 'AC' to prong of the shield suspension). Reverse is plain with decorative center with Lady of Mount Carmel surrounded by inscription: 'Militaris Hospitalis Ordo St. Lazari in Jerusalem'. 68.5mm x 62mm (cross) and 46mm x 32mm (shield of arms). All enamels perfect. Cross lightly vaulted. 38mm wide neck ribbon with original ties. Handsome Order. Item # Misc-17. *SOLD*

Russia, 1828 - 1829 Turkish war medal. Silver with nice patina, some wear but still nice. Not often seen medal. Ribbon is of age, but I am not sure if original. 26mm in diameter. Item # Misc-20 *SOLD*

I have been unable to positively identify this one. In one of my old German auction catalogues, such an item has been described as Nepalese Royal Merit Order. Die struck - single sided with green/red enamels. Very old silk ribbon. 46.5mm wide. Interesting piece. Item # Misc-21 *SOLD*

Korea - Order of Military Merit. Quite rare as this is Korea's highest strictly military decoration. Fourth class of the award (called Wharang). Unusual is the fact that all classes look different and are differently designed. Five-pointed white enamel cross with centre medallion of ancient Korean helmet in enamels, surrounded by a red enamelled band of 4 white dots and inlaid symbols. Multiple part construction. Reverse is inscribed in Korean, also numbers 1915. Gilded silver. Original ribbon lightly faded. Rarely offered item. Original pin/clasp for fastening. 38mm. Shows age and wear, no damage. Item # Misc-22 *SOLD*

Imperial Russia, the Taking of Paris 1814 commemorative medal in silver. 28mm type. Piece of original period ribbon! Good details. Wear to Czar's hair, temple/ear area. Reverse in very good condition. Legend (translation): 'For taking Paris on March 19, 1814'. Light pitting overall - normal for these medals. Rare medal from the Napoleonic Wars. A must for a serious collector. Item # Misc-27 *SOLD*

Russia, Commemorative medal for War of 1812-13. Silver, 28mm type. Fitted with proper ribbon (not original but old replacement). Good condition - shows wear and some pitting. Considerable wear to reverse (centre area). Overall good or better. Really neat medal. See also item below. Item # Misc-28 *Sold*

International Union of Public Properties - neck decoration. Bronze gilt, enamels. Full neck ribbon with ties. Attractive award. Inscription to reverse: Union Internationale du Bien Public. Complete with button-hole ribbon/rosette. Item # Misc-33 *SOLD*

Russia, 1904-05 War with Japan medal for participants. Gilded bronze, issued to combatants (dark bronze was for non-combatants). Obverse of the eye within a triangle with rays surrounding it (represents the all-seeing eye of the Empire). Dates 1904-1905 beneath. Reverse inscribed in Russian. Considering that these are usually found in poor condition, I'd rate it as very good. Fitted with ribbon. Shows wear and age, stained in places. Colours are darkened with age and faded somewhat. 28mm in diameter. Item # Misc-35 *SOLD*

St. Benedict medal. Production of such talismans is documented as far back as 1647. Except for the Jubilee version produced in 1880 on the 1400th anniversary of St. Benedict's birth, these medals vary widely in design and shape. This particularly nice vintage example portrays typical images and text: St. Benedict, with a raven behind him, signs the Cross over a shattered cup full of poison according to legend; letters on the back are drawn from a 15th c. image of the Saint, in which he holds a scroll of Latin phrases, translated as "The Holy Cross is my light (CSSML); let not the dragon be my guide (NDSMD)", "Get behind me, Satan! Suggest not to me vain things. (VRSNSMV) The cup you offer me is evil, drink the poison yourself! (SMQLIVB)"; CSPB stands for Crux Sancta Patris Benedicti (The Cross of Holy Father Benedict). Such medals are still made and are used by devout Catholics for protection against all manner of temptations, evil spirits and illness. This piece is silvered bronze. Quality suggests late 19th-early 20th c. manufacture. Unidentified maker marked to front. Unusual and appealing medieval-style design. Very interesting. 30mm dia. Item # Misc-41. *SOLD*

Order of Malta, 19th c. Silver filigree neck badge. Beautifully handcrafted in fine silver. Multiple old Maltese hallmarks to suspension eye. Nicely decorated suspension clasp. Suspended from an old silk ribbon. Lovely and unusual piece. 43.2 x 43.2 mm. 12.7 mm thick. Item # Misc-45. *SOLD*

WW2 Australian badge called 'Female Relatives Badge'. Issued to wives or mothers (or nearest female relative) of Royal Australian Navy/Australian Imperial Force/RAAF members on active service abroad. Obverse inscribed: 'To the Women of Australia'. Complete with bar/star device suspended from badge by means of 'O' rings. White metal. Officially numbered: 17817. Made by G&E Rodo, 1940. Inscription to top (reverse): 'Issued by the C'wlth Govt'. Horizontal pin. Very good condition. Hard to find in North America. 25.5mm wide. Item # Misc-51 *Sold*