Bob

and more

more

No problem - in more detail now then

Reverse. Number is easily readable with naked eye but didn't transfer well (very thin) with digital camera.

Attached is a modern Polar Star (the ugly brass kind). Two types should apparently exist: Var 1 - Cyrillic script, pinback, brass, 2003 - ....... 31,529 - 39,785 number range Var 2 - pinback, unnumbered, brass, 2003 - .....unnumbered What do I find? A brass one with number 13010. It's probably difficult to see in the picture, but trust me, right under the bottom two rivets in thin numbers is 13010. Mint mistake?

Reverse

Type 1 Var 1 - thick numbers - I have 436 (range observed: 159 - 8,904) Type 1 Var 2 - slim numbers - I have 16,904 (range observed: 10,117 - 25,161) Type 2 Var 1 - enamel / guilding - for foreigners (Battushig mentions this one doesn't formally exists; he also was surprised to see it in Herfurth) Note: - the original ribbon from '46-'61

The other ones

Reverse

An area of interest that I hope to be expanding my collection on in the near future. Right now, only 3 items from me: - Distinguished Co-Worker of the State Security Service (type 5: state security; honorary badge) - D05 - unnumbered - 60 years of State Security Organization (D10) - 80 years of State Security Organization (D12) - made out of 3 pieces but by far not as nice Soon I'll also have a D03a to post here. Would love to see additions (with photographs!) from others so we can get a complete overview.

Reverse

Let's look at this one in a thread. Unfortunately I've not even been able to spot an A7.1 (pre '75) or A7.2 (post '75)... these are the ones with red stones. I do have A8 complete - 3 variations: - T1V1 - hand-engraved number (I have 244; numbers sited range from 8-407) note the slight difference in pin on back - T1V2 - rotating-tool serial, low-quality local production (I have 706; numbers sited range from 452-786) - T2V1 - unnumbered (note: light blue air) What surprises me is the relatively low price you can buy these at given such small quantities of the first 2 variations were ever made. I guess it doesn't get as much attention since it's small, nothing spectacular in design and isn't an order.

And beautiful large screw. Text: - on top: "Ulaanbaatar" and then three letters: XOT - bottom: Uruu..... Arte..." - wasn't in the mood to decipher this morning... presumably artists cooperative

Reverse

And to finish it: type 4 (J-03). Supposedly extremely rare (on the list it was mentioned only 6 sited). Well, this is one of them. Unnumbered so no indication of how many were produced. It's in fantastic condition.

Reverse

Next up... again a type 3 but this time variation 2: silver plated... in my case: worn off. Number I have is 791 and indication is numbers range from 56 - 4100.

Reverse

Next... 3 type 3 var 1 (silver)... from left to right: - 3283 - 3382 - 3740 Note: the middle one probably has an incorrect screw. Also of interest, the most right hand one has darker color air - another variation? The numbers: observed from 32 to 3740. This is J-02 in the book. Noteworthy is that in fact two variations of this variation 1 exist: - one with relief back - one flat back (much more expensive - higher silver content) I'm still looking for a flat back one, let me know if you have it for sale... or just want to post a pic here:)

Reverse

First up (on the left) Type 1 Var 1 - Uighur script (J-01). This on number 344. Last time I checked the well known numbers list, sighted were from 92 - 399. On the right is a Type 2 Var 2 Cyrillic (J-04). This ones a bit used but best I could find sofar. These go unnumbered. Apparently there are two variations - see B's book - this one I suspect being the lighter air colored one. Next post will show reverse.

Bold question: where did you buy these?

Not too many venues to purchase them, and getting ever higher. How permanent do you think this is? Supply doesn't seem to be lessening, it's more of an increase in demand it seems.

If it was... why take the trouble to sell so many shall we say 'rather common' and low priced medals? I have yet to come across an item which triggered me to think it was a purposeful fake but then again there is not much literature about this topic (unlike for instance the McDaniels book). The only 'fake' I've seen was the supposed wearers copy of a Sojombo on eBay a few weeks ago. Perhaps an equally interesting question... what if this supply of - let's assume - real items goes on and on and we were all wrong about the amount of items in circulation? Now there's a bad thought... It's a niche market... imagine if more people start to move from for instance Soviet to Mongolian awards? The way I see it... now is still the time to buy. I'm working hard to close the gaps in my collection... the affordable gaps that is.

Yours looks like type 4: numbered, silver plated I own one of these as well.