utopis

That's actually something I'm interested in, too. Numbers of awards, I mean. Bob, what do you think of the number given on this site: http://sammler.ru/index.php?act=Gallery&cat=1208 Though it says that these numbers are only until 1980 they seem very low to me.

That's exactly what it is. It's the St Alexander Nevsky

I see I'm not the only fan of this award here, eh? Pretty great though the Order of Ismail is a strong 2nd place.

Very nice! Can't even choose which is my favorite. Paulownia, Eagle or the Tiger? First type crown order with swords is also very nice!

I see - so there is a competitor, after all

! Nice picture. But only third class sacred treasure? You've simply got to love those Korean Empire awards. Too bad the quality isn't as good as Japanese awards. Although they are among the rarest decorations of all.

Ah you're right. Oh well, surely I can't be expected to remember all topics and posts

VJ mark on a third class rising sun - I think we haven't had this one yet. It has been said before but I'll say it again: Great quality for modern day awards.

Kite

Phew. I read the first sentence, saw the first pictures and my first thought was: Nick you really have to buy a better camera Nice addition!

I second that. Although those Jew articles (armbands, tokens) were produced in large numbers most of them were destroyed after the war. Those that remain are very rare, quite expensive and most importantly they're very heavily faked.

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Finally! Another one of my absolute favorites popped up. So rare to see one... Nonetheless, here we go: Sixth class in leather covered box.

Shame on me! I started this thread and totally forgot to mention our "Ukrainian buddy" in our fraud sellers list

Holy crap! This set is incredibly beautiful. In what museum is it on display now?

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Now that's what I would call truly destroyed. Looks like Dresden '45. What do you think happened to this former beauties. I'd say fire...

Yes, exactly. Actually it is very hard to detect Shill bidding. Only the stupid ones create new accounts and bid with zero or one rating. Same goes with bid retractions or hiding the bidder list. The clever method is to ask friends and family to bid with their accounts or bid through "buying and shipping" companies. Due to the fact that these account made other purchases it appears that only a small percentage of bids goes to one particular seller. Therefore it must be assumed that if a scheme is recognized that is probably just the tip of the iceberg. In fact I am observing a lot of ebay sellers which I assume are doing this too. The problem is that I can't say for a hundred percent that these are Shill bids. They just border at the "still might be possible" area. Obviously I can't declare anyone a criminal without definitive proof. It just strikes me as very suspect if someones bids on 9 out of 10 completely different items from one and the same seller.

That group will be quite expensive. Additionally you have to count in a fat group bonus if all docs are available.

Good one! Well, at least he admitted it!

Number two is "yangrongder" on ebay. Current feedback is 127, zero negatives. His crime? He sells fake rising sun orders. It get's even worse - they are very ugly!