Vatjan

I'll shall post them in a new thread tomorrow. Jan

This is not quite a complete variations list, here we go: A37.1 Variation 1: real ribbon, screwback, hand engraved number, number preceded by "N?", seperately soldered ring A37.1 Variation 2: real ribbon, screwback, hand engraved number, number NOT preceded by "N?", seperately soldered ring A.37.2 Real ribbon, pinback, rotating tool engraved number, ring part of the medal A.37.3 OK A.37.4 OK

This is the communist all purpose box, most medals of that period were more or less the same size, and were consequently all put in that sort of box. This being said, the a similar box exists for the post communist 50th anniv of the MPR. I'll post pix later. Yes For this medal the serial number range did not change, it just stopped, later medals are unnumbered. Medal 18822 to Suvdaa Luvsandarshiin was awarded on April 5, 1985 Ok, I got your point, will update tommorow Picture: 50th anniv MPR medal 1970 in box and 30th anniv Khalkhin Gol 1979 Jan

I'm sure everyone saw this one last week

Maybe Bob can post his beautiful boxed Choibalsan state prize here aswell. Jan

And recently on our favourite auction site

This is the standard (communist) order box, also comes in a smaller size for badges

The crest is indeed the national symbol, as it was used in the early forties. The four animals depicted are of course the four domesticated species the Mongolians keep in their herds: Cows, sheep, goats and camels. I think the symbolism of the horseman speaks fo itself, all I can add is that the stick with the bit of rope the rider is carrying is the Mongolian equivalent of the lasso. It is used to capture wild horses, and still very much in use nowadays. I've got a pic somewhere, but I'm afraid it is a slide, so it might take some time to digitalize. Jan PS: Santa must really like you, Ed

Yes, scanning with the lid open and the lights out is indeed the right answer Jan

The Kremlin gala evening guest badge. I'm not quite sure this is exactly what this badge is, but it is the best description I've had sofar Jan PS: I can't find a pic of the doc, will post it later

the table medal

I'll never be able to afford one of the distinguished employee badge, but I did find small group about a year ago, with the 70th anniv MVD egg, 70th anniv KGB comm?morative badge for guests to the Kremlin Gala (with doc) and the 70th anniv KGB table medal (with doc) in the original box. And not expensive at all, badly listed on ebay, seller is a postcard dealer

Hi guys, I'm very sorry, but I would be pleased if someone could take my turn. I've got a lot of work lately, and I check from time to time to read up on the latest infos, but I haven't got the time to search for an intelligent question. Sorry to have kept you waiting Jan

I borrowed the pic from the seller, I hope he doesn't mind. It is for educational purposes, so I hope that's fine. Anyway, you can clearly compare the older Uighur date on this one, and the Cyrillic date on the doc in the previous post. On this one you can also see Choibalsan's signature on the right hand page. Jan

Please do post pics, the badge is in a really good condition and that is fairly rare. In the meantime take a look at one of my docs, notice the added number under the portrait. I do admit it looks more official than I remembered, but still not 100% because then the number would be mentionned on the text page somewhere. Jan

The nice thing about these fake docs is that they leave the space for the serial number blank. That way you can add the number of your (fake) badge to match, pretty cool Jan

I forgot to mention that most of these docs have Choibalsan's signature in them, which is interesting in itself

For starters an unnumbered screwback

Hi guys, The badge is indeed the Partisan badge, and not anti-partisan. The one in Dr B's book is a unique piece with this special "recycled" metal reverse. There are 3 variations, screwback numbered, screwback not numbered and pinback numbered. The numbering style is correct for this badge. The doc is also good, although there is no way to tell this specific badge goes with this specific doc, since the badge's number in not written in the book. So it could be put together, or it might be good, you'll never know. The doc is an early emmission, because the date is written in Uighur rather than in cyrillic, as is the case in later docs. I have several, I'll post pix later I have one exemple where the number of the badge was added in handwriting under the picture, but it is definitely not an official entry. These badges were issued in the early forties. The badges usually sell for +- 100 US, and the booklet for +- 50 US, now the prices have skyrocketed lately, and this is an early doc, possibly with matching badge, so it could be very expensive. Hope this helps Jan

Hi Chuck, I don't reply everytime you post one of your marvelous collection items, but I wanted to tell you I hugely enjoy these items and appreciate the time you invest in scanning and posting to show them to us. Thanks Jan

The military merit medal is, what I have called, a type 2, the characteristics being: pinback - cloth ribbon on suspension device - ring part of the medal - rotating tool serial number. Type 1 are screwbacks and have hand engraved serial numbers, and type 3 an enamelled suspension device The honorary labouir medal is a type 2 variation 1, the characteristics being: screwback - cloth ribbon on suspension device - cyrillic inscription - ring part of the medal - stamped serial number. Type 1 has the Uighur incription and type 2 variation 2 has a pinback and rotating tool serial number

Hi Christophe, My info comes from the Carsten Zeige Auction Catalogue from January 2003, which was the Auction with the Willy Stoph "Nachlass". They state: 1) Heinz Hoffmann 1975 2) Heinz Hoffmann 1981 3) Erich Mielke 1975 4) Erich Mielke 1982 5) Friederich Dickel 1975 6) Friederich Dickel 1982 7) Leonid Brezhnev 1976 8) Leonid Brezhnev 1979 9) Leonid Brezhnev 1981 10) Valeri Bykovski 1978 11) Sigmund J?hn 1978 12) Vladimir Kovaljonok 1978 13) Aleksander Ivanchenkov 1978 14) Erich Honecker 1984 15) Erich Honecker 1987 16) Willy Stoph 1984 17) Nikolai Tichonow 1985 If anyone has anything to add or correct please do so. Jan PS: New question will be for tomorrow

Hi Christophe I'm afraid you're info might be out of date, now that I double checked my German source, I found that 11 people received a total of 17 stars. For the Soviet Union: Brezhnev as stated Cosmonaut Valeri Bukovski 1978 Cosmonaut Vladimir Kovalchonok 1978 Cosmonaut Aleksander Ivanchenkov 1978 Nikolai Tichonov 1985 There might be spellin errors in the names, because I translated "dubious" transliterations Could this be right? Jan

I think the two were 1) Leonid Brezhnev, he got three, 1976-1979-1981, why? because he collected medals, I don't really know. The mongolians even founded the title of honorary freeman of the MPR, awarded only to him 2)Nikolai Tichonov, he got only one in 1985 but I have no idea as to why he got it. Not yet anyway. Jan