The application of proof marks to orders, medals and decorations was in most cases mandatory and required by law. Proof marks were applied to decorations during the manufacturing process. However, were they applied before or after the enameling process? Most of us collectors know that some countries
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Heinrich Simon Eduard von Valenti was born on October 4, 1818 at Eulenberg bei Neu-Stettin. On August 18, 1836 he was commissioned as a Seconde-Lieutenant in the 14th Infantry Regiment. On July 18, 1851 he was promoted to Premier-Lieutenant, on February 5, 1855 he was
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One who collects order decorations and medals needs to understand and be knowledgeable about the mechanics behind crafting those precious items we all seek. One of the steps in crafting order decorations is the finishing of attributes like golden swords or oak leafs. Take the Prussian Red Eagle Order
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This grouping was previously offered by a Munich auction house in 2002. The items in the group consist of the Orden der Bayerischen Tapferkeitsmedaille identification card and medals of Adolf Fichtner. Adolf Fichtner was awarded the Silver Bavarian Bravery Medal for action at Verdun on March 29,
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The attachment of the so called “Swords on Ring” to order decorations embodied in all cases a symbol for those that had been awarded decorations for merit in war and for bravery once being promoted to a higher grade of an order. Without this attribute, the sign
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The Bavarian Military Commemorative for 1813, 1814, and 1815 (Militärdenkzeichen für 1813, 1814, und 1815) was founded on December 4, 1814 by King Maxmilian Joseph I. for all, “on the payroll of the mobilized army in the years 1813 and 1814, or who were recorded in only
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This photograph is of a group of soldiers of the Royal Bavarian 1st Jägerbataillon (Königlich Bayerisches 1. Jägerbataillon “König”). The NCO who is seated and who is wearing his large medal bar appears to have been awarded the Bavarian Military Merit Medal (bayerische Militär-Verdienstmedaille), the Prussian Military
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This group of unusual items was found in the archives of the now defunct French order and medal manufacturer M. Delande of Paris. Although I am not certain of the exact years that Delande was in business, they were certainly in business during the first few decades
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The Tank Badge was instituted by the Minister of Defence Otto Gessler on 13 Jul 1921 and laid down in the Heeres-Verordnungsblatt Nr. 41 of 15 July 1921. It was to be issued to veterans of World War I who qualified by being a crewman (commander, driver, gunner, loader,
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The Anhalt-Köthen Medal for Merit, Attachment and Loyalty was founded by Duke Heinrich of Anhalt-Köthen (reigned from 1830 to 1847), in the year 1835, for outstanding merit of subaltern officials. After the founding of the House Order of Albert the Bear, and its Merit Medal, in the
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