Here’s some info on the gentleman that belonged to: Colonel Harold AJ Schwarz was born in 1916 in the Austro Hungarian empire. He grew up in Germany, and fled the country at the onset of WWII. He eventually made his way to Canada with his wife, where, in 1942 enlisted in the Canadian Army and served in WW2. He served over 40 years in the Canadian military, and also became a doctor! Very decorated man indeed, Part of the greatest generation of all time. Thanks for preserving his history! 🙏
🎄Dear Alex and family, you have given your viewers so much pleasure and reprieve from our hectic lives. Thank you! The very first video i watched was so long ago. You and your Kiddos were unboxing a suitcase full of old coins. I was absolutely hooked! Wishing you a warm, peaceful Christmas and may 2025 continue to bring many surprises!🎖🏅🎖🎇
The white poppy medal resembles a relay baton and a hurdle to me. My best guess. Alex, Melissa and family, Merry Christmas,Happy New Year to all of you from Ohio. Thank you for posting what I believe to be some of the best content on YT. I learn something new every time I watch. Your vast knowledge of collectibles, your mechanical abilities and the assurance that whatever you encounter in your daily life will be improved upon just because it crossed your path. I look forward to every notification. Here’s hoping for more great discoveries in 2025.
US Air Force veteran here - I assume the Canadian armed forces medals work the same way as the US. If so, those “mini medals” are worn on the formal uniform…what we called Mess Dress. The larger medals are presentation medals and are usually pinned on the uniform at the presentation ceremony. Otherwise, only the corresponding ribbons are worn on the semi-formal uniform…what the USAF calls our ‘Blues’. Hope that helps! And hope i got it right…i retired over a decade ago, so other US vets reading this, don’t come for me! 😅
They take a similar path medal size as the U.K, the knighthood being a colonial medal and all. I'm unsure if we, they and you have exactly or familiar medals i.e the medal of honour? I hope Trump looks after the vet's when he gets back in finally in January. 5% better than Biden would surpass how veterans have been treated comparatively. 🙏🇬🇧✌
The 5 Cruzeiros banknote has the figure of Emperor Dom Pedro I on the front, and on the back the Quinze de Novembro square with the Imperial Palace. The 10 Cruzeiros one has the figure of Emperor Pedro II on the front, and on the back one of the sculptures by the Brazilian sculptor known as "O Ajeijadinho". The 50-cruiser one has on the front the figure of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca (our first president), and on the back a painting by the Brazilian painter Cândido Portinari.
Wow! Must have been an important man. Incidentally, I also saw one from my homeland, Austria. "The golden badge of honor for merit around the Republic of Austria" does not get everyone ... ! But apparently he has his roots here.
Silver is down a bit right now but it’s sitting at $42.35/tr.oz. And platinum is sitting at $1328.67/tr.oz. Unfortunately the banknotes aren’t really worth anything. But still a nice little collection. Always love seeing when you find precious metals and Canadian coins. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.
Hiking Badges: decades ago, when my family climbed Mt. Fugi, our hiking sticks were branded at each station. Hot iron brands, rather then metal plates marked the wooden sticks. 😉
I always wonder how the family can give away their father’s medals. I could never let go of those. Maybe there’s no family left. Alex you bring him back to life and show so much respect. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Another interesting video, so much history that is not going by the wayside, thanks to your efforts!! 🎄Merry Christmas to you & your family!🎄 Best always, from BC🎄💕
I loved this ,It just got better and better . No crawling into loft spaces up to your ears in ???? , When I was at Edinburgh Castle , I was fascinated and humbled to read the bio for each Victoria Cross . Merry Christmas to your household and your other helpers .🎖🎖🎖🎖🎄🎄🎄🎄
@17:41 the PIN is from the city of London not London England but the city of London these pins were given out to individuals almost like a secret society pin to get you into certain places in the city of London they're not rare there are plenty of them some of the older ones are very valuable this one I have no idea on its value however the new ones are very tiny and are usually in a black silver metal the end stands for something to do with the banking system and the city of London @19:33 the postage stamp is not worth too much however the range in prices up to $2.85 all the way up to around 400 dollars this depends on the quality and if it is not damaged this stamp is kind of tricky as there are rare stamps if there are in good condition... however there are remakes and plenty of fakes
Just so you know the smaller medal set would go on his shirt and the larger on His jacket, Both would only be worn on their dress uniform or mess dress for formal events.😊
👍👍👍👍👍 I love the collection. I wish I could buy some of that silver off you. The first comment was about the pin you wanted to know about the information on it. I sent that to you. Sincerely Chuck. PS Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
You should contact the Charles Russel museum here in great falls and maybe donate that to them so they can put it in with his collection if they don't already have one
A lot of medal collections have a missing medal that was originally awarded to the person but lost etc., so when compiling the medals later a lot of people will buy a medal from another veteran's collection to replace that missing medal. I did this with my father's medals. They weren't passed down to me so I created his set from other veteran's medals. There are many that were awarded without being engraved with names so these are transferable. There was one I needed for my father's collection that would have been awarded named (in Canada) but I didn't want to replace it with someone else's named medal so I got one from the US that was identical but awarded unnamed there. More unique medals were named so in order to replace those a person would have to either apply for it through the gov to be replaced or buy another veteran's named medal. There are only certain family members who can apply through the gov and not all medals are available. Also if you want an authentic collection you have make sure you buy from your country's veteran's because Canada's medals, for example, were often silver while in the US and other countries they were not. The one medal I bought from the US was not silver in Canada or in the US. They were identical
My neighbor stopped yesterday and he brought me 4 coins. A 2000 sacagawea dollar which I need to have looked at because I think the feathers have grooves but it's worn so I need an expert to look at it. A Bicentennial quarter, a "Loonie", and a Bicentennial Kennedy half dollar. I was excited to get them. Especially the Kennedy half because I had the Eisenhower Bicentennial dollar and lots of quarters, but not the Kennedy.
The item in the image appears to be a commemorative token or medal for the Century of Progress International Exposition, which was held in Chicago in 1933. The dates 1833 and 1933 on the token likely represent the 100-year anniversary of the city of Chicago, which the fair commemorated. The "N" in the center of the token is likely a stylized representation of the fair's logo or a symbol associated with the event. The fair emphasized science and industry, with many corporations participating and showcasing their progress.
I know you are respectful but it always saddens me to think a persons life can end up carried off in a cardboard box. Especially an accomplished life such as this. Thanks my friend.
I have a couple of verified penny blacks. Just because, I don't collect stamps but it something cool to have on the wall. Not worth much as a matter of fact the frame matting and little plaque i had made probably cost more than the stamps are worth. LOL
Mini-Medal Set: The set of small medals is prescribed for wear on the Dinner Dress Uniforms for many branches of service, in many countries. There may be matching smaller scale devices for wear on the same uniform (if awarded). For instance, I have a mini pair of Submarine Dolphins for wear above my own miniature medals. 😉
Full size medals are worn on Service Dress uniforms. Still a Formal uniform, for events where you might wear your sword, but not as fancy as the Dinner Dress events. Most of the medals will have a matching Ribbon Bar, for wear on a more daily basis and on some working uniforms. Some ribbon awards do not have corresponding medals. 😉
They may be keeping the "originals" - the full sized medals originally presented to the Colonel. You often end up with multiple of the same medals as you arrange them to wear on your uniform. It may have been too much to keep all of them.
What an impressive collection of coins and military memorabilia. Your channel is informative and educational. Merry Christmas and all best wishes for 2025. MAB Team Trump USA 2024
Here’s some info on the gentleman that belonged to:
Colonel Harold AJ Schwarz was born in 1916 in the Austro Hungarian empire.
He grew up in Germany, and fled the country at the onset of WWII. He eventually made his way to Canada with his wife, where, in 1942 enlisted in the Canadian Army and served in WW2. He served over 40 years in the Canadian military, and also became a doctor! Very decorated man indeed, Part of the greatest generation of all time. Thanks for preserving his history! 🙏
Wow, thanks for the background info!
@ no prob WW2 history is my favorite !
I think that this gentleman and his wife and their lives together would make a great book and movie❤😊
🎄Dear Alex and family, you have given your viewers so much pleasure and reprieve from our hectic lives. Thank you! The very first video i watched was so long ago. You and your Kiddos were unboxing a suitcase full of old coins. I was absolutely hooked!
Wishing you a warm, peaceful Christmas and may 2025 continue to bring many surprises!🎖🏅🎖🎇
Those are such an honor to see. I salute them for all that endured. Thank you for your service 🙏.
Wow, I'm so impressed at the accomplishments of this Colonel. What amazing medals.
Just read his obit. What a life! Thanks for preserving his history.
The white poppy medal resembles a relay baton and a hurdle to me. My best guess.
Alex, Melissa and family, Merry Christmas,Happy New Year to all of you from Ohio. Thank you for posting what I believe to be some of the best content on YT. I learn something new every time I watch. Your vast knowledge of collectibles, your mechanical abilities and the assurance that whatever you encounter in your daily life will be improved upon just because it crossed your path.
I look forward to every notification. Here’s hoping for more great discoveries in 2025.
US Air Force veteran here - I assume the Canadian armed forces medals work the same way as the US. If so, those “mini medals” are worn on the formal uniform…what we called Mess Dress. The larger medals are presentation medals and are usually pinned on the uniform at the presentation ceremony. Otherwise, only the corresponding ribbons are worn on the semi-formal uniform…what the USAF calls our ‘Blues’. Hope that helps! And hope i got it right…i retired over a decade ago, so other US vets reading this, don’t come for me! 😅
Wish my Mess Dress still fit. 1982-2013 ret. MSG CA ANG WS12
The smaller medals may also be worn on civilian clothes.
@@HerbertWingfield - I hear ya. 😄SMSgt, 1978- 2010
They take a similar path medal size as the U.K, the knighthood being a colonial medal and all. I'm unsure if we, they and you have exactly or familiar medals i.e the medal of honour? I hope Trump looks after the vet's when he gets back in finally in January. 5% better than Biden would surpass how veterans have been treated comparatively. 🙏🇬🇧✌
Thanks for all the excellent videos in 2024, much appreciate it 🙏
The 1833-1933 pin seems to be for the 1933 Chicago World's fair, representing a century of progress.
The 5 Cruzeiros banknote has the figure of Emperor Dom Pedro I on the front, and on the back the Quinze de Novembro square with the Imperial Palace. The 10 Cruzeiros one has the figure of Emperor Pedro II on the front, and on the back one of the sculptures by the Brazilian sculptor known as "O Ajeijadinho". The 50-cruiser one has on the front the figure of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca (our first president), and on the back a painting by the Brazilian painter Cândido Portinari.
I was about 6 years old when these banknotes were still worth something. I remember buying sweets from them, at the club bar.
Wow! Must have been an important man. Incidentally, I also saw one from my homeland, Austria. "The golden badge of honor for merit around the Republic of Austria" does not get everyone ... ! But apparently he has his roots here.
your real respect shows
Silver is down a bit right now but it’s sitting at $42.35/tr.oz. And platinum is sitting at $1328.67/tr.oz. Unfortunately the banknotes aren’t really worth anything. But still a nice little collection. Always love seeing when you find precious metals and Canadian coins. Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.
Merry Christmas to you and the family. Stay safe in the New Year.
Christine here, great collection! Just sad that the family don’t keep the medals for future generations. Merry Christmas and hugs xx
What an interesting mix from an honorable man!! Great the medals will be sent on to a collector to be treasured❤❤❤
His family should be so proud of him. Thank you for sharing with us.
Hiking Badges: decades ago, when my family climbed Mt. Fugi, our hiking sticks were branded at each station. Hot iron brands, rather then metal plates marked the wooden sticks. 😉
I always wonder how the family can give away their father’s medals. I could never let go of those. Maybe there’s no family left.
Alex you bring him back to life and show so much respect. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
What an interesting video ! That man spent his life in service, pretty awesome !
Another interesting video, so much history that is not going by the wayside, thanks to your efforts!! 🎄Merry Christmas to you & your family!🎄 Best always, from BC🎄💕
Hey gang.. good to see ya 👋 . I hope you guys have a blessed and beautiful Christmas season. 🎄🙏✝️
Wow! That is a box of treasure!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I loved this ,It just got better and better . No crawling into loft spaces up to your ears in ???? , When I was at Edinburgh Castle , I was fascinated and humbled to read the bio for each Victoria Cross . Merry Christmas to your household and your other helpers .🎖🎖🎖🎖🎄🎄🎄🎄
Excellent video Alex 🎉🎉🎉
Merry Christmas. Love you guys.
Hi Alex and Melissa! Let's dig! Yes yes!😊
I believe the mini set of medals is for when they wear their dress uniforms, which are comparable to “white tie” or tuxedos.
Correct!
wow!!!!!what a great display of medals!!! i'm sure you will have a good profit here alex!!!
Merry Christmas!...wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year...CHEERS!!
The miniature medals are called dress medals: for wearing on an evening suit or similar.
Very interesting today.
My 8th grade teacher was there on D-Day. He was my teacher in 1976-77.
Thanks for all the great entertainment guys.....have a great Christmas. Toddy B NZ
My dad, a philatelist, always desired a Penny Black!
To paraphrase Pete Townsend:
"I was born with a loonie spoon in my mouth..."
Alex finds the strangest things!
Love your videos. Thank you for taking the time to share with us!❤
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Melissa and the kids, from 🌬️ Ontario 🎄🎁🌟✝️🥳✨
Wow nice 😊
Once a king always a king ,once a knight is enough 😂
Another score!
There is a Prague pin from 1933 with a large N on it for Napoleonic Congress. Long shot but you never know. He was from that part of the world.
@17:41 the PIN is from the city of London not London England but the city of London these pins were given out to individuals almost like a secret society pin to get you into certain places in the city of London they're not rare there are plenty of them some of the older ones are very valuable this one I have no idea on its value however the new ones are very tiny and are usually in a black silver metal the end stands for something to do with the banking system and the city of London
@19:33 the postage stamp is not worth too much however the range in prices up to $2.85 all the way up to around 400 dollars this depends on the quality and if it is not damaged this stamp is kind of tricky as there are rare stamps if there are in good condition... however there are remakes and plenty of fakes
The actual money may not be legal tender but it is quite valuable to collectors.
Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄
Very interesting assortment.
Just so you know the smaller medal set would go on his shirt and the larger on His jacket, Both would only be worn on their dress uniform or mess dress for formal events.😊
For the first second or two, I saw "knighted Colonial" and thought "Wow, that's bold." We don't usually admit to that stuff. 🤔
Hi merry Christmas to your family loves
👍👍👍👍👍 I love the collection. I wish I could buy some of that silver off you. The first comment was about the pin you wanted to know about the information on it. I sent that to you. Sincerely Chuck. PS Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
You should contact the Charles Russel museum here in great falls and maybe donate that to them so they can put it in with his collection if they don't already have one
Charles Russel, very famous artist of the west!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Alex from California. Love your channel ❤
Impressive career.
That was fun to watch.
Alex, this kind of thing is so interesting to see, but I don't understand why anyone would get rid of their family history like that.
I don’t understand either (maybe no relatives remaining) my dads WWII medals will stay in the family
Would have been Nice if those knight medals was in there🤷🏼♂️ Yet another great video!!
Nice collection of medals and coins.
Cool collection. Stay safe.
Mreey Christmas alex
A lot of medal collections have a missing medal that was originally awarded to the person but lost etc., so when compiling the medals later a lot of people will buy a medal from another veteran's collection to replace that missing medal. I did this with my father's medals. They weren't passed down to me so I created his set from other veteran's medals. There are many that were awarded without being engraved with names so these are transferable. There was one I needed for my father's collection that would have been awarded named (in Canada) but I didn't want to replace it with someone else's named medal so I got one from the US that was identical but awarded unnamed there. More unique medals were named so in order to replace those a person would have to either apply for it through the gov to be replaced or buy another veteran's named medal. There are only certain family members who can apply through the gov and not all medals are available. Also if you want an authentic collection you have make sure you buy from your country's veteran's because Canada's medals, for example, were often silver while in the US and other countries they were not. The one medal I bought from the US was not silver in Canada or in the US. They were identical
Thank you for respecting these items
Thanks Alex!
My neighbor stopped yesterday and he brought me 4 coins. A 2000 sacagawea dollar which I need to have looked at because I think the feathers have grooves but it's worn so I need an expert to look at it. A Bicentennial quarter, a "Loonie", and a Bicentennial Kennedy half dollar. I was excited to get them. Especially the Kennedy half because I had the Eisenhower Bicentennial dollar and lots of quarters, but not the Kennedy.
Wishing the very merriest of Christmases to you, your family and friends and to all of your viewers.
Regarding the Civitas pin, it's quite common for relatively good quality stamped pins like that to be manufactured in bronze with 10k plating.
The item in the image appears to be a commemorative token or medal for the Century of Progress International Exposition, which was held in Chicago in 1933. The dates 1833 and 1933 on the token likely represent the 100-year anniversary of the city of Chicago, which the fair commemorated.
The "N" in the center of the token is likely a stylized representation of the fair's logo or a symbol associated with the event. The fair emphasized science and industry, with many corporations participating and showcasing their progress.
Stamp can be 6 figures ! Especially canceled on a letter !
quite the collection of medals and coins
very good ..!!!
I know you are respectful but it always saddens me to think a persons life can end up carried off in a cardboard box. Especially an accomplished life such as this. Thanks my friend.
The Masonic pin could possibly be a 50 year pin. My Dad passed before he could receive his.
í just love the mapple leafe
Interesting.
I bed to differ on the coin sets. It depends on how many they made. I'm a collector, I'd love to have stuff like that.
The small set of medals is for wearing with dress uniform.
The 1996 toonies have collectable ones made by mistake. If it has dots around outside ring it's the mistake one. Dots like quarters have.
I have a couple of verified penny blacks. Just because, I don't collect stamps but it something cool to have on the wall. Not worth much as a matter of fact the frame matting and little plaque i had made probably cost more than the stamps are worth. LOL
Be sure to check Charlie Russell coin for collectible artwork. Famous American western artist. Maybe more valuable as art.
The N on the pin is usually associated with Napoleon
Holy moley Batman if the penny black is real Merry Christmas it’s not cheap
Mini-Medal Set: The set of small medals is prescribed for wear on the Dinner Dress Uniforms for many branches of service, in many countries. There may be matching smaller scale devices for wear on the same uniform (if awarded). For instance, I have a mini pair of Submarine Dolphins for wear above my own miniature medals. 😉
Full size medals are worn on Service Dress uniforms. Still a Formal uniform, for events where you might wear your sword, but not as fancy as the Dinner Dress events. Most of the medals will have a matching Ribbon Bar, for wear on a more daily basis and on some working uniforms. Some ribbon awards do not have corresponding medals. 😉
My father in law was Senior Master Sargent in the US Airforce gave them 20 yrs.
Cool😊
I love first day issues. I have some. One is signed by an astronaut
❤❤❤
My brother would love to have dad's medals but we don't know who has them. I'll have to ask around 😊
Nice collection! Do you know what that platinum coin is worth? Thanks Alex!
There are medal collectors who spend a fortune on sets of medals that belonged to people who were prominent like this, especially a Knighted person.
Nice!
Id be interested in the Penny Black stamp and the Hawaiian replica. Just let me know.
Merry Christmas Alex & Melissa 😊
Merry Christmas to you too Bob :) ❤
Damn. You would think the colonels family would want to keep his medals. 😢
They may be keeping the "originals" - the full sized medals originally presented to the Colonel. You often end up with multiple of the same medals as you arrange them to wear on your uniform. It may have been too much to keep all of them.
Could that be a white poppy behind that medal?. Poppies are identified with WWII
White poppies are identified with peace. Possibly an organisation promoting this?
Nice video, but kind of sad no one is his family wanted to keep his military medals.
Brazilian money is from 70's til 1986.
What an impressive collection of coins and military memorabilia. Your channel is informative and educational.
Merry Christmas and all best wishes for 2025.
MAB
Team Trump USA 2024