Bob

Great - that explains a lot. There I was thinking that a recent 2nd class one I saw had an incorrect ribbon

Well, they're presumably administering the local laws right? I know collectors are generally ehmm "flexible" in terms of how to get those rare missing items for the collection but still... Anyway, I am not holier than the pope... I was on a driving vacation to Ukraine and hiding awards in your car is of course a lot easier than in a mail packet or piece of luggage for a flight. I will be going to Russia for some weeks of mountaineering so will be able to simply put any medals I buy into my check in luggage which will contain a healthy load of metal mountaineering equipment anyway:) Back to the topic though: good places to go shopping? E.g. any dealers with a real physical shop? I imagine the open markets aren't good places to obtain genuine quality pieces anymore (recall 8 years ago or so this 1 big market next to a hotel a bit out of the center city).

Will be in Moscow for a day or 2 in 2 months time - best spots for QUALITY awards shopping?

Not a LOT of Albania enthusiasts, but those that are here... sure are enthusiastic:) Some new (cased) arrivals today... will post during the weekend.

You mean you don't read Mongolian? I am thoroughly disappointed Rick!

No time for detailed scans - combined 220 pages of russian (mosly) text about Mongolian awards SURELY must have something new to tell!

Old, so let's not get our hopes up too high. Nevertheless, the suspense in itself is already making it fun:) Judging by the amount of text, I'd be somewhat disappointed if it didn't contain at least some tidbit of new info.

Just received 2 more books on Mongolian awards which haven't been seen here yet. Will try to find time to post some pics tonight. Hopefully our friendly community will be able to do a quick translation here or there to see if there's useful new info to be found:)

And in the meantime Alexei is uncovering beautiful items and putting them on his site almost every week or two

reverse

They all look the same (and unfortunately are not numbered) but nevertheless, they are pretty so here's another one.

So we here have a nice basic 3rd class pinback.

Just looking at collectrussia... they have #318 for sale there. If I may quote: "Magnificent quality, riveted hollow construction typical of the earliest Soviet awards. This is an extremely rare 1940 variation with two-word "Monetnyi Dvor" mint mark. The style of mint mark indicates very late production, just before the complete re-design of this decoration in 1940. Coincidentally, that same year "Monetnyi Dvor" mint mark replaced the earlier "Mondvor" at the Soviet mint, therefore pinpointing 1940 as the exact year of manufacture for this specimen. Most other pieces that we have observed to date had the one-word mint mark. Engraved serial number "318" in characteristic, early Soviet manner." Well, with my number 291 and also the two-word mintmark we've then just pintpointed this down a bit further:)

A nice A21.2 Number 291 - gilt on screwplate still reasonably intact. The construction of this award is interesting: 5 rivets... but if you look closer it's made more intricately... there's the base "plate" in front of which are connected the star at top and the center piece of banners, soyombo and wreath... presumably all with rivets... but then on reverse another "plate" is attached (equal in shape to the base plate) which covers these rivets (at least, I am assuming they are there) and this back plate is connected to the base plate with the 5 rivets. In any case, a beatiful award.

Well, let's wait and see IF I'll ever find one, IF it is for sale... and then what the price is. Although I do not buy awards as investments, these high end ones are really not much different than cash... you can easily convert them if you'd really need. Sofar I've only gotten as close to a hero star as "rumours" (one is for sale in Moscow; one recently got sold by one of the major European dealers; etc.). Seeing a LIVE one in and of itself would already be nice We'll see, did manage to get 2 Gold Soyombo labour hero's so hunting can pay off in the end.

I noticed that Unfortunately nothing I'm still looking for. Really, apart from some "lower end" items which I am still keeping an eye open for, my "want" list is quite short. Only rare items on it (although some easy to find - as long as you fork up the $$$) and really only one that I am really hunting for and willing to "break the piggy bank" to get: a Gold Hero Star

Well, to liven things up a bit I'll post some relatively old Mongolian awards that will be coming my way tomorrow morning:)

Seems like the Mongolia craze has died... hardly any posts here, items with dealers don't appear to be moving much, not much bidding on eBay, etc. Back to obscurity? If so, any reader, please offer me your gold hero star for sale:)

Here we go: Master of Sports

And here a different variation of the meritorious teacher - cased (original?).

Eric - on one of the first pages of your excellent guide you mention a silver medal of the order of the black eagle. Is there only a silver version or are there different classes?

Post pics:)

Post pics:)

Post pics:)