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).

This is an unusual medal, numismatically, insomuch as there is a separate bronze medallion inlet into the main silver medal, which is not hallmarked. It is a fob-type medal for wearing on a watch chain. There is a pair of crossed rifles on the reverse of the medal, number 4 Short Model Lee-Enfields, to be precise.

This medal (4cm) commemorates the enthronement of King Ernst August of Hanover, the last king of independent Hanover before it was absorbed into Prussia later in the 1860s. It is signed under his bust by the sculptor: 'BREHMER F.' The medal is nearly in fleur de coin condition.

The top element with the imperial crown above two crossed swords and oak leaves has the logo 'Deutscher Krieger Bund' for German Warriors League (ie veterans in a military sense), whereas the cross underneath has a portrait of the emperor in silhouette and gives the name of the district, in this case Oberlaunstein.

This rather fine uniface medal, marked 'T.H.WIEN', probably for Truppen Hospital, Vienna, would have been sold to raise funds for the hospital, in this case perhaps targetting prosperous cavalry officers' families, as a sabre and a dragoon helmet are at the base of the oak leaf wreath.

This is engraved in running script on the edge 'Surrey County Championship 1909'. It measures 47mm across and is in virtually EF condition. This would probably have been shot for at Bisley, Surrey, and with a little research one might find in the records who this was awarded to.

This is a rare variant of the Royal Humane Society medal for successfully saving life, issued between 1774 and 1867. It would seem that the Bristol variant was instituted in 1807, according to the date on the exergue. The sculptor signs himself 'T.H.' for T. Halliday. It is, sadly, uninscribed, as it would have left the Mint.

Marked on the obverse: 'MEDAL OF HONOR 1867' with 'PROVINCIAL EXHIBITION N.W.P.' [for Province] and 'THE HONBLE E. DRUMMOND, LT.GR.' [for Governor]. It is neatly engraved around the rim: 'SUPDT. ROORKEE WORKSHOPS', probably for the railway workshops in the town of Roorkee in Northern India.

This bronze medal (3.5 x 5 cms) was struck to commemorate the founding of the National Guard in Lyons, similar to the National Guard in Paris. 'Federation Martiale' with 'Temple de la Concorde' below is on one side, with the coat of arms of the city of Lyons and 'Force Union et Prosperite' on the other side, with 'XXX MAI MDCCXC' for 1790.

This medal, struck in silver, with the rose of Lippe borne on a shield under a municipal crown, was issued for 15 years' service, indicated by the 15 between the words 'Treue' and 'Jahrige'. Lippe is a small state near the Danish border and presumably St Johann is a town within Lippe.

Like its Prussian counterpart, this was awarded in WW1 for welfare and hospital work to civilians. However, this example appears to be made of bronze with all its original patina. The ribbon should have blue horizontal stripes in the centre white field, so this is close but not quite correct. Otherwise, the cross is in good condition.