A vast field, covering many eras and countries. Specialist reference books on every period and country can be found. One book - Price Guide: Orders and Decorations, Germany 1871-1945 by Detlev Niemann (2004) - is highly recommended (I have several in stock at ?50 each plus postage).

The award was given for combat gallantry and the German inscription on the reverse reads 'for bravery'. These copies were made for the soldier to wear on his uniform for everyday use, while keeping the best one for special occasions.

This is the classic gallantry award for WW1, given when the award of the EK2 was deemed insufficient recognition. Hitler wore one, earned as a despatch runner! This cross is maker marked 'KO', a prolific maker, particularly of 2nd class Iron Crosses.

On 29 November 1915, bars were authorised for 2nd, 3rd and 4th awards of the same class of the medal. This was awarded to NCOs and men for bravery in action and was instituted as a medal in 1789 as the Tapferkeitsmedaille. There were several sizes of both silver and gold awards for varying degrees of courage.

Instituted in 1890 for outstanding services in war and peace, this medal used the red and white horizontally striped ribbon of the Medal for Bravery (as in this case) when awarded in wartime to officers, or a plain red ribbon for non-military persons of rank. In peacetime, the plain red ribbon was used in all cases.

This is a commercial award for window dressing from the Fascist union of Ferrara, specifically for the best window display ('Mostra Vetrine'), as engraved on the back, along with the date of the Fascist era, 'A-XIII'. The front has a magnificent image of the fortress at Ferrara, which is a lost-wax casting with a certain amount of hand finish.

This commemorates the coronation of Karl IV in Budapest on 30 December 1916. He was the last of the Habsburgs to rule as King of Hungary and Emperor of Austria. The medal shows him on horseback in front of a gathering of Hungarian nobility, wearing the St Stephen's crown with the bent cross. He reigned for two years (until 1918).

This coin was probably minted to commemorate the arrival of the Federes from Brest and Marseilles at the end of July 1792. It was issued by Monneron Freres of Paris and was valid currency in the Departements of Paris, Rhone, Loire, Gard (as stamped on the edge) at the time of the French Revolution.

Instituted 13 July 1934 by President Hindenburg for all service personnel in WW1. Front line troops received the 'swords' type, other elements got it without swords, both in die struck iron with a bronze finish. Widows and parents of the dead got it in blackened iron. The reverse is maker marked 'CW'.

This medal is signed by Stokes on both sides, with the traditional image of Baden-Powell on the front, and a boomerang and a kangeroo on the reverse, together with the scouting fleur-de-lis and the date. It is struck in silver (unhallmarked) and is in near EF condition, with one small scratch to the obverse.

This fine little miniature medal, complete with its original silk ribbon, is beautifully named on the edge 'J.SWAINE.QAr.Mr.2D.BATTn. THE.RL.REGt.' (the 1st Royal Regiment of Foot, the Royal Scots).