Ed_Haynes

Shown elsewhere, but The Holy Grail:

Given the rarity of these "first-generation" awards, this may be understood.

These (type 1 and type 2) were among those offered to me in UB. But at prices even sillier than we see on Some Dealer's site.

I like the cloth suspension better. I assume #1 was real gold, real diamonds??

Oh yes. Actually all of them were so made.

. . . and then wait to see what decision is made on your next visa application . . . .

Nice, Alex. What those who don't study these don't realise is that side-by-side, face-on, they may all look the same (like a gaggle of Iron Crosses). The difference here, of course, is that each is named, each is truly unique, and each one has a powerful tale to tell whcih, with research, can be teased out.

It is a shame, though, that it is so hard to get decent quality replacement ribbon. Not even possible for my ribbon guy in India to make anymore.

And, just for the record(s), the Hero Star I saw this March in UB. Number #1. Figure THAT out.

Not the greatest image, but I was shaking.

Reverse. # 223.

Badge 100% authentic and authenticated, serial number 100% BAD. Escapee from mint renumbered by intermediate merchant in Ulanbaatar who ruined a Nice Thing (and paid the price).

T 2. Badge good, number not .

Reverse. #79.

Provenance and authentication 100%.

OK, there's been so much (well-deserved) confusion over these labor hero badges of late, let me TRY to help by putting up two known (believed) good badges.

I'm going to try to pop forum image size limits.

T 1.

Closeup on suspension area of a type 1 (left) and type 2 (right badge, though with a very naughty serial number) specimen.

Weights (whole thing, screwpost and all):

T 1 - 41.35 g (# 52, 1962) and 41.25g (# 79, 1966)

T 2 - 29.95 g (faked number but a good badge -- bummer -- cheap, though)

By the way, the serial number on that otherwise fine T 2 is "223". For the historical record(s).

NB had (has) one for $8500.

Dave

Oops, missed it. Sorry. Thanks, Dave. Wow.

Edited accordingly.

That is a great medal, Leigh... looks very "untampered" and pristine!

Yes. Not at all outside the realm of the imagination (though the ribbok is maha-kinky). Yet, for South Asia, the 'realm of the imagination' needs to be very inclusive.

Interesting and scary question; just to use the usual (and one very unusual) spepects:

Nevsky

T2 - $3250 (DM)

T2 - doc - $3150 (CR)

T2 - $2750 (DM)

T2 - $1995 (CR)

T3 - $1595 (CR)

TR (w/res) - $1400 (NB)

T3 - $1390 (CR)

T3 - $1350 (NB)

T3 - $1320 (NB)

Glory 1

solo (456) - $7800 (CR)

solo (116) - $2350 (NB)

HSU

T1 (524) - $16000 (DM)

solo (9146) - $7950 (CR)

Kutzukov 2

solo - $8500 (NB)

(Including recently sold. Ignoring groups, just singles, document status noted.)

Not quite. "Sir" or "Dame" cannot be used except by Crown Subjects. Honorray knights/dames (others) may not. Anyone can use the postnominals, but their government may not recognize them, you can call yourself the Duke of Pimpleprig, and may get away with it in some circles (thereby empowering the imposted crowd), but it might well and appropriately mean nothing legally and legitimally.

The Soviet egalitarian socialist attitude toward such feudal stuff ("stuff") may explain in part their deviant approach to the wearing of British orders?

These "," namings are actually pretty common on the Calcutta-struck and Calcutta-named medals. Can't admit to having seen enough native-named (by natives of the British Isles) specimens to comment on those.

Given the number of medals being named and the rush in which they were being named, you have to sympathise. Part of the reason most dispensed with WWII naming.

Hi, Gentlemen

So glad to see that guys here are interested in PLA awards. This Libearation Order 3cl is mint!! Bayi, Independence & Freedom and Liberation Order is the 'big three' of Chinese official orders. Each kind of order has 3 classes. They are the most worthy collectible among PLA awards.

Tang Si

Yes, Tang Si, those are my targets! I consider these three sets of awards to be the gems of PRC collecting. I have the latest two medals in Feng Zhai-lu's group, but just the one undocumented order, so nine holes to fill in my dreams.

Oh God! 1970s flashback! "Deep Purple!" Can-not-get-tune-out-of-head-help-help-help.

Or are you thinking "Purple Haze" . . . oh . . . the flashbacks . . . .

But the lining is FITTED for the star and ribbon bar, not that they are just SUNK into that Astrakhan-ish material?

Yes, fitted cut-into the underlying whatever. Not wood, but solid.

Quite interesting pin construction-- the shielded pointed end of the catch is quite a good idea and never seen anything like it.

Agreed. Unusual, at the very least (I shan't quote my students and call it "very unique"!).

A couple of close-ups, since it is right here.

Thanks for this, Tang Si. And never worry about your English!

There are a few of us (Rick, me, ???) who wish things were better with Chinese awards, but we know the problems. Maybe, someday, we can hope . . . .

And, to complete the image, the next step down, the Liberation Merit Medal.

This one, #39260, from the Feng Zhai-lu group -- see http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2327

What is that purple lining material? It looks like shaggy pile carpet!

Not much textile skill here, sorry. Really fuzzy fluffy wine-purple stuff. Scientific enough?

Interestingly, the case, too, is numbered on the reverse.

The reverse. Numbered, under the cumbersome pin device, "04763". Aross the points 48 mm, and weights in at 34.7 g isf anyone cares.

Detail of obverse.

Inside. (Not a great image, sorry.)