Soviet Two Patriotic First Cousins

[Guest Rick Research]

Here are two VERY closely numbered OPW 1st Classes, that on the left, number 206,003 from a documented but unresearched group I am scanning for another collector and will share the rest later and on the right my own loose, anonymous number 206,854:

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Mine has the gold backing "cheese pared" in an unusual "clock face" direction, but both are identical gold. There is absolutely no trace of any oxydized finish on the sword or rifle on my higher numbered piece, and I'm not sure if there never was any of that gray on the lower numbered one.

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I just thought it would be interesting to see a couple of unrelated near numbers-- only research will ever tell us if these came out of the same level command close together. Both are likely circa May 1945.

[Stogieman]

Is it safe to assume with numbers that close that it was the same maker??

[Guest Rick Research]

They all came out of the State Mint, but I'm wondering if same batch-- and sent in the same box to the same unit for distribution? Only research will tell.