Ed_Haynes

Lovely.

At $14.9K it'd better be.

these are pretty damn nice awards!! how much do they normaly cost???

Just noticed one at EUR 1600 (probably the same one Bob referenced just above?). Did not memtion screwback/pinback or number, but didn't seem to be the current nasty type.

Some of the Afghan awards that live with me have been put up over at:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=12313&hl=

At the risk of administering an Afghan overdose, I shall pause here. More to come if anyone can take it.

People's Democratic Republic

Order of People's Friendship

Simular to the Soviet Order of Friendship of Nations.

The award " Friendship of Peoples " was founded 24 December 1980.

The award was given to citizens of the PDRA, the foreign citizen, to enterprises and organizations, and to provinces and cities.

The award was made for:

- oustanding work in the propagation and strengthening of brotherly friendship of all tribes and nationalities of Afghanistan;

- for achievements in the work directed at the growth and strengthening of the national economy;

- for excellent service in state and national reconstruction;

- for merit in political development, enrichment and mutual cultural exchange between tribes and nationalities of Afghanistan, for active participation in education of citizens in spirit of friendship and proletarian internationalism, and fidelity to the native land;

- for merit in the strengthening of defensive power of the PDRA;

- for merit in the strengthening of the the world and the friendship of peoples.

The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the PDRA in 1992.

This specimen is unnumbered and may be an unissued piece, though the evidence on the patterns here is unclear.

People's Democratic Republic

Order of the Saur Revolution, first variety

Roughly parallel to the Soviet Order of the October Revolution.

Established 24 December 1980. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the PDRA in 1992.

This is the first variety, 1980-??. This one is numbered (low!) 0543.

People's Democratic Republic

Medal For Excellent Service

Similar to the Soviet Medal for Combat Service (sic).

The medal was founded 24 December 1980 and was awarded to military men who in the struggle against enemies of the Afghan state exhibited skilful actions and initiative involving risk for life and who promoted the success of combat operations. This medal was also awarded to foreign citizens.

People's Democratic Republic

Medal for Gallantry

Similar to the Soviet Medal for Bravery.

The medal was founded December, 24, 1980. The medal was awarded to military men, volunteers, and foreign citizens for courage, stability(resistance), and gallantry in fights with enemies of Democratic Republic Afghanistan. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the PDRA in 1992.

Interior spread:

With Afghan document to Ravil Andulbiarovich Abdulin, dated 2 July 1987.

July 1987: From 15 January 1987, there was a six-month ceasefire declared against the Mujahadeen, but this was rejected. Significant action during this period in Kunar, Laghman, Nangahar, Logar, and Pakhtia Provinces, along the northern route toward the Salang Tunnel (especially on 21 Feb near Puli Khumari, Baghlan Province), in/on the Shomali Valley and Plateau, and along the Circular Road near Maimana (Heart/Mazar-i-Sharif). May-June, fighting at Kandahar, and June 1987, battle of Ali Khal. In May 1987, Babrak Karmal was arrested, and replaced in Sept by Mohamed Najibullah.

Outside:

People's Democratic Republic

Medal for Distinguished Military Service

Similar to the Soviet award of the same name.

Inside spread:

With certificate to Vladimir Yurevich Loginov, 20 April 1987.

April 1987: From 15 January 1987, there was a six-month ceasefire declared against the Mujahadeen, but this was rejected. Significant action during this period in Kunar, Laghman, Nangahar, Logar, and Pakhtia Provinces, along the northern route toward the Salang Tunnel (especially on 21 Feb near Puli Khumari, Baghlan Province), in/on the Shomali Valley and Plateau, and (though mostly after this date?) along the Circular Road near Maimana (Heart/Mazar-i-Sharif). Known to have been major actions in Nangahar in April which resulted in the killing of 50 Soviet troops and the capture of 28 (this seems quite likely?). In May 1987, Babrak Karmal was arrested, and replaced in Sept. by Mohamed Najibullah.

Outside:

People's Democratic Republic

Order of Gallantry

Awarded for gallantry, roughly equivalent to the Soviet Order of the Red Star (as the design might suggest?).

Established 29 October 1985. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the PDRA in 1992.

These came in two varieties, (1) 1985-87, with an open book as part of the central design (shown below), and (2) 1987-92, without the book (which I don't have -- yet).

Numbered 1247 on reverse.

But things were soon to change . . .

People's Democratic Republic

Order of the Red Banner

Established 24 December 1980. Roughly equivalent to the Soviet award of the same name. The award presumably became obsolete with the collapse of the PDRA in 1992.

OK, a momentary break from the medals of the kingdom.

Republic

Medal for the Foundation of the Republic, 1973

One of the few medals of the short-lived republic, July 1973 to April 1978.

Kingdom

Buzkahshi Medal, 1335

To the winner of buszkashi match (see the film "The Horsemen" or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzkashi if you wish more information) held in honour of visit of the Shah of Iran to Afghanistan in 1957.

Kingdom

Honar (Art ) Medal (1960-73)

Also made by a firm that familiar to some, Deschler und Sohn, M?nchen.

Kingdom

Wartia (Merit) Medal (1960-73)

Came, obviously and apparently, in at least two classes.

Made by a firm that may be familiar to denizens of other fora here, Deschler und Sohn, M?nchen.

Kingdom

Tetschdatat (Trade) Medal (1933-60)

Kingdom

Ma'aref (Education) Order (1960-73)

This, apparently, came in two classes/types?

Kingdom

Service Medal, Muhammad Zahir Shah (r. 1933-73)

Kingdom

Independence Medal 1309

Extremely tentative identification. For Afghanistan's "independence" in 1931?

Kingdom

Loya Jirgah 1343 Medal

Awarded for the 1965 (C.E.) Loya Jirgah. A Loya Jirgah is a large tribal assembly to approve or make policy; the term can, perhaps, be glossed as "parliament". The legend makes that much clear. Beyond that, . . . ???

A few more . . .

Kingdom

Northern Rebellion Campaign of 1930

For the suppression of the Habibullah Khan "Bacha-i-Sawaq" rebellion of 1929/30.

This may be an officer's star?