Bob

Thanks a lot and also welcome - be prepared to get more translation requests

Mmm worries for later then. Expecting to receive an early edition, number Bulgarian Order of Dimitrov then. Next step: figuring out who's it was and for what!

What's the dictionary you are using (i.e. titel, edition, etc.) - I should get one myself as well to make life easier!

I've accumulated quite some loose ribbons over time and have "allocated" them to various boxed / documented / group awards to make those sets more "complete" for display purposes. This leaves me with a bunch of ribbons for which I have no direct use at this moment and I am willing to trade (not sell!) them for ones which I am still looking for. Shoot me a mail if you see anything interesting AND have an interesting ribbon to trade it for. I am looking for: - Sukhbaatar (brass / cloth) - Order of Red Combat Valor (cloth) - Order of Combat Valor (cloth) - Medal of Khalkhin Gol (seperate, so not on a ribbon bar) - Medal of Unselfishness - Medal of Friendship

Here then the more recent ones. What surprises me is complete lack of standardization. I'd expect same size, same reverse construction etc and just some slight differences to designate that it's an outstanding worker in a different field but I guess that would be too structured for Mongolian awards:) Even to the point where one of these little ones has 2 screws!!!

I like these badges and collect them when they are in the specific shape that I'm looking for. Let's do a cross-section of a few of them. First a scan shows what I believe are more older ones. The first two, from the screw, manufactured in Leningrad mint. subsequently "quality" seems to deteriorate... next one still heavy brass + rivets... next one still rivets but lighter metal... last one very light and simple construction. All of these still with an older "logo" for Mongolian state. Next up will be a pic of more recent ones... no longer the same logo but rather usage of Soyombo symbol and much "cheaper" feel to them.

Looks awfully similar but different. Brass, 2 rivets on reverse... and nr 34 (rotating tool engraved - difficult to see on scan).

I am interesting in acquiring 1 or 2 or so but with so few pictures around to review before purchase it's a bit confusing. Would it be possible for you to post some comparative pics (incl. reverse) of the various Tamara's you have in your possession?

Curious - the numbered awards, are they researchable? I.e. access to archives is available?

I picked up a copy of Albert Speers memoires a while back... interesting read... gave me the same feeling of the movie Der Untergang... the empire just crumbling around them. The memoires was an autographed copy and was accompanied by some autographed letters (on Albert Speer personal letterhead) and photographs. One small letter is interesting... he's writing to a collector and giving him the address of Admiral Donitz so the person can also contact him.

How many of the different classes / types of this order were awarded? Were they numbered?

Actually closer examination shows even more differences on the 2nd class one vs. rest: - more pronounced "dimple" at the (crossed) end of the two wreaths - thicker screw - on the side it's a clean "cut" as opposed to 1st / 3rd class which have a side to the order which goes from front to side in 2 steps

Comparing my second class now with a pic on an auction site... mine is more "silvery" as opposed to "grey"... another identifyer?

Thanks Eric - how do you recognize that it's possibly Soviet... indeed the more "flat" (i.e. without the evenly spread "dimples" below the "glazing") enamel?

Forgot to post reverse

Great item Ed Could you scan the reverse (hiding the (if any?) number if needed)? Thanks, Bob

http://www.soviet-awards.com/digest/umurdi..._returned_3.htm Not as Mongolian as you'd like... but close.

Correct, restored in the corner. Presumably the ribbon got soiled, torn or something like that. Rather crudely done (can be seen on reverse). Makes you wonder where all these awards have disappeared to...

I suspect this guy was important and enjoyed travelling 2 Orders of Sukhbaatar; 2 Orders of Lenin; Order of the Red Banner of Labor Valor; Soviet Order of the Red Banner; 2 Orders of Combat Valor; 2 Orders of the Polar Star; 2 Medals of Combat; Order of the People's Republic of Bulgaria; Czechoslovak Military Order for Liberty; 2 unknown decorations, probably GDR; Soviet OGPw 2nd Class; 100th Anniversary of Lenin's Birth Medal; Khalkin Gol Medal; We Won Medal; Medal for 25th Anniversary of the MPR; Medal for 40th Anniversary of the MPR; Medal for 50th Anniversary of Mongolian Revolution; Medal for 30th Anniversary of the Khalkin Gol Victory; Medal for 50th Anniversary of Mongolian Army; Medal for 50th Anniversary of Mongolian State Security; Medal for 50th Anniversary of Victory over Japan; Medal for 50th Anniversary of Mongolian Police; Soviet Medal for 30th Anniversary of Victory; Soviet Medal for Victory over Japan; and Soviet Medal for Victory over Germany.

Nice set of 3 - not so sure about the screw plate of the 3rd class one. Note also slight difference in enamel between 2nd class and the other two (which have more of a relief to it).

I've also come back on this... the hype may be over, but so is the strong supply of quality pieces. I think it's time to introduce the "Sukhbaatar" index... I predict that by end of this year you'll be looking at paying 3.000 USD if you want to purchase one from one of the western dealers. Why? Because apparently currently dealers wishing to replenish their stock from Mongolian sources apparently need to pay around 1.800 USD for an SB.

A friend of mine recently returned from a trip through former Yugoslavia and brought back a nice metal plaque with the buste of Tito on a beatiful wood backing. I examined it and flipped it around to see the back... where it said IKOM to which I burst out with pleasure "ah, IKOM in Zagreb" should have seen the look on his face when I explained where it came from... knowing this of course due to my interest in Albanian awards. This leads to the question: is the rest of the world crazy, or is it us phalerists which are crazy?

Note, this probably means some (like for instance one of the Hero of Labor stars I have) on the market are in fact unawarded ones.

Gotta download this pic and post here later - how cool! http://www.president.mn/show_module.php?in...p;dayinfoid=103 100 years old General became a Labor Hero 2006.02.27 President of Mongolia N.Enkhbayar, released a decree, conferring lieutenant-general TSEDENISH Bazar with state?s top award, Title of Labor Hero, Sukhbaatar Order and Gold Medal, in recognition of his outstanding efforts in serving the country: a demarcation of national borders, signing international treaties, which ensured the security of those, studying the history of border troops, strengthening the security of the national borders and promoting external relations of Mongolia. SHAGDARJAV Ochir, executive director of coal mining ?Shivee Ovoo? incorporated company, has been bestowed a Title of Honored Miner of Mongolia. Appraising long-standing service in governmental and non-governmental organizations, commitment to the purpose of strengthening the telecommunication sector, training new specialists and bringing significant foreign aid and assistance, GOTOV Dakh, Chairman of the Mongolian Association for cooperation with pacific countries, has been awarded a Title of Honored Telecommunication Worker of Mongolia; TOGTOKH Galsan, chief-doctor of Gobi-Altai province?s Tugrig som?s hospital, was awarded a Title of Honored Doctor of Mongolia; TOGOO Shatar, head of the ?Santmandakh? cooperative society in Sant som of Uvurkhangai province- a Title of Honored Economist of Mongolia; NAMSRAI Bud, lecturer of Management Academy- a Title of Honored Teacher of Mongolia; TSANJID Ayurzana, Member of Parliament- a Title of Honored Teacher of Mongolia; NARANBAATAR Bayaraa, bronze medallist of the year 2005 Free-style Wrestling World Championship, received a Title of Honored Athlete of Mongolia. Following people were bestowed with the Order of Red Flag for Labor Merits: N.Altanhuyag, ex-finance Minister; Members of the Parliament N.Batbayar, T.Gandi, D.Idevkhten; An Order of Polar Star was conferred to D.Narandelger, lecturer of Management Academy, S.Purevsuren, head of the senior citizen?s union at Tuv province, D.Amar, senior officer to the Ministry of Health, N.Bayar, principal of the secondary school ?Mechta?, Ts.Ganhuyag, vice-chair of Civil Will party, B.Binie department chief at the Ministry of food and agriculture, B.Indra, chief editor of ?Mongol Messenger? newspaper, Ch.Saikhanbileg, chief of Information, telecommunication and technology agency. An Order of Military Merits received M.Tumurbaatar, chief of Investigation Department, Bayangol district?s Police office.