Bob

I believe, but am not 100% certain, it is a code for the department number of the product approval unit (Prufstelle)

Yes, I did. I jumped on that one. There's another one out there for sale, not that much more expensive. PM me if you want it.

https://www.ebay.ph/itm/Mongolia-The-Order-of-Hero-Star-2nd-Type-1946-Gold-5-Diamonds-USSR-Mondvor-/112896822770 And recently on Hermann Historica a Hero Star (nr 14) was auctioned off for 18K euro excl. buyer fees.

I have one of Koldunov's Soviet medals (incl. document) in my collection. Can't recall which one, a 'basic' one. Closest I'll get to a Soviet Marshall!

Perhaps this one - a badge

Wow - looks like we could use an "Albanian belts" section! Not my collecting area, but still impressive!

And looks like above one changed hands http://www.caricat.it/index.php?id_product=827&controller=product&id_lang=1&search_query=albania&results=4 Plus http://www.caricat.it/index.php?id_product=1318&controller=product&id_lang=1&search_query=albania&results=4

https://www.ratisbons.com/Auctions-archive/21st-Contemporary-History-Auction/Albania-Royal-Guard-officer-s-shoulder-boards.html Given the interest in these items...

Yes, had the FN medal in my hand. Awarded in 1939 to a Serbian nurse. 4000 Euro was too much for me to branch out and start with these though... despite this medal being very rare and interesting. I still regret not having said yes to an offer a LONG time ago to buy one which had been awarded to a Mongolian nurse. Thanks for the link - interesting! And indeed, 2000 Euro was a rather hefty amount. I am not 100% certain of course whether the eventual buyer also paid that amount or more (or less).

Hi - I asked the seller what the belt + epaulets went for and he told me 2000 Euro. I never got the chance to get them in my hands as they were sold while I was reflecting on them over a beer. Did not ask about the other items.

Couldn’t quickly find another thread to post this so doing it here. just saw this at for sale at Militalia in Milan... went to drink a beer and think it over and when i came back it was sold and gone (perhaps to a forum member?) nice! Also some other items - is the small red medal also Albanian?

solid gold

Time to add a few more items First, not sure what it's for - here is best I can give: "Albania, Kingdom. An Albanian Association Badge, Unofficial, c. 1941 Three-piece construction, in silver gilt with black, white and red enamels, measuring 37.5 mm (w) x 49 mm (h), intact enamels, caduceus illustrating two snakes wrapped around the Rod of Asciepius in gold-coloured bullion wire in two textures embroidered on its original red ribbon, extremely fine." Based on the condition I have a hard time imagining it's from the 1940's... And here a nice set - Order of Skanderbeg, Knight Badge with Miniature, c.1941 (Italian Protectorate times). I always try to remove the interior to see what's behind it. In this case just a penciled in nr and a smart little mechanism to 'unlock' the case.

http://gmic.co.uk/classifieds/item/403-tamara-ordersedlatzek/ No company name on the pin, perhaps a very small silver mark but difficult to be certain. I do have another Sedlatzek Tamara in my collection (based on my big excel file used to document my collection) but not at home and can't remember the details and suspect I did not post a picture here. Attached the pics of the current one.

When I first started collecting the biggest fun and stress was on ebay... so many of us probably bidding against each other to try to get that type which was missing in our collection. Later moved on to more interest in the research/background of the recipient. Also miss the daily checking on whether Nota Bene had updated his site (with his great prices and friendly service!). The number of items 'missing' in my collection is fairly limited and the odds of getting these openings filled are slim (and expensive). Same with my Albanian collection. So, less busy with collecting but still fun and occasionally something new does pop up!:)

Interesting to see that Battushig book which startes the mongolian collecting craziness is now offered for 250 usd on ebay

Here is another addition to my collection interesting because of what is etched on the reverse - hard to read but appears to say “f sedlatzek berlin leipzigerstr”

Igor - not sure I understand your question

Unfortunately i didnt look at that and am travelling now so will take a while before i can verify

To add to this resurgence, here is a cigarette case which has just found its way into my collection...

Real deal or...? https://www.czernys.com/a-86/?o=78543 Appreciate any feedback!

Nope, but if you are in the market to buy one there's not many alternatives...

I'm not sure if I can recall ever seeing a nr2 or nr3

Just added this to my collection - serial nr 142

Thanks!