Bob

So was I

Cuban Food& Cuba Vacation12 Dec 2006 09:51 pm DPR Korea Distinction for Fidel Castro The ambassador of the Democratic People?s Republic of Korea in Cuba, Pak Turg Chun, granted the Hero of Labor Order to Cuban President Fidel Castro, it was revealed here Tuesday. In the solemn ceremony, held at the diplomat?s official residence, the DPRK Popular Assembly also gave the first class National Flag Order to the Cuban leader. Esteban Lazo, vice president of the Council of State, received the corresponding documents and decoration on behalf of Fidel Castro. Shortly before, the ambassador read the related decree, pointing out the act is linked to the Cuban leader?s 80th birthday and his active support of Korea?s independent, peaceful reunification. The text also highlights Fidel Castro?s special contribution to the construction of socialism in North Korea, and development of cooperation and friendship relations between the two countries. cuban diplomat, cuban government

Wasn't it always illegal? What is there to pity: - that it's illegal? - OR that the consequences (risk of getting caught and possible penalty) are now higher?

Had one offered for sale to me today and was wondering how often was this awarded?

RECENTLY SOLD pinback - USD 1.870, nr 1.918, Nota Bene - JANUARY 2007 - USD 1.880, nr 1.785, Nota Bene - JANUARY 2007 (boxed) - USD 1.950, nr 860, www.russianglory.com - MARCH 2007 - EURO 1.600 (roughly 2.100 USD), nr 1183, www.huesken.com - MARCH 2007 - EURO 1.650 (roughly 2.200 USD), nr 1514, www.huesken.com - JUNE 2007 screwback - USD 1.680, nr 644, Nota Bene - NOVEMBER 2006 - EUR 1.630 (roughly 2.150 USD), nr 585, Albert GMIC - MAY 2007 CURRENTLY FOR SALE pinback - EURO 1.300 (roughly 1.700 USD), nr 1246, private seller, soon on eBay (can provide contact details on request) - USD 2.150, nr 1.837, www.collectrussia.com screwback - USD 2.900, nr 640, www.collectrussia.com

ORder of Friendship are completely unresearchable in the archives or exception is those with low serial number? If so, how low?

More detailed scan. Nice as a "filler" but a clear fake (apparently made in Ukraine). - 4.8 gr for screw - 14.0 gr for star alone - 25.2 gr for star + suspension

This thread popped out when I was doing a search. Boy, I sure do miss sitting in the office and visiting NB's site at least once a day to try to catch one of his super offers.

Doesn't it make you wish that each country in the world had a "Hero of (Socialist) Labour" award with corresponding gold star. I can picture it back home in the Netherlands: "awarded for tending to his windmill for 20 years with great devotion etc. etc." There's definately some "best practices" that we should consider copying from the former socialist countries!

Got the translation in (thanks Elvis!) - it's not a generic description at all... it's very specific... in fact, so specific that if you'd read it without knowing it's Albanian you'd think it would be for a Mongolian award Here it goes: ?Has continously been distinguished in careful labour and high spirit of sacrifice taking care of the flock of goats entrusted with. 10 years in a row has over passed the fertility, and milk production per goat. Through his hard labor has become an example of inspiration and mobilization for all the flock raising labors all over the region.? Classic "Hero of Socialist Labor" in my eyes

What caught my attention wasn't even that (although it should have) but rather the numbering. Let's hope in Mongolian area of phaleristics the fakers don't immediately go from stone age to space age fakes because attached example of Soyombo is too tough to tell convincingly.

Cool - this is EXACTLY what I have been looking for... but than preferably an antique one visiting the site straight away...

The Dalai Lama said: "collect mongolian awards"

Thoughts on this one please

14:25 2003-05-08 Mongolia Honours Soviet Soldiers Ahead of the Victory Day celebrations the authorities of Ulan Bator in Mongolia, that was member of the anti-Hitler coalition, moved the monument to the Soviet tank brigade Revolutionary Mongolia, a T-34 tank, to the foot of the Zaisan mountain, on the southern outskirts of the capital. Thus, the memorial devoted to Soviet soldiers who fought in World War II "acquired a new, more accomplished look," the municipal authorities believe. The decision to move the monument, installed in 1970 on the occasion of the Victory's 25th anniversary, in one of the city's central highways, the Genghis Khan avenue, was taken by the Mongolian government in April. The works to move the tank, that had reached Berlin as part of the Revolutionary Mongolia brigade and then under its own power got to Ulan Bator, were conducted efficiently. The 33-ton vehicle was brought down from the cement pedestal and then taken in a special truck to the mountain, where it was set in its honorary place. The Revolutionary Mongolia tank brigade was set up in 1942 for the money raised by Mongolian people. Later it was turned into the tank regiment, which is still stationed near Moscow. In October 1964 the regiment was given Mongolia's highest award, the order of Sukhe Bator, the leader of the Mongolian revolution. Source: pravda.ru Now... wouldn't it be cool to get a Berlin related group of a Mongolian!

These are just "common" labour awards - not so interesting Just kidding

Ed - how do you display (or store) all of these beauties? With my own collection I've gone down the route of shoeboxes and now bank vault... but would much prefer something more accessable and respectful than "hiding" them... although also want to keep them safe

Yep - I'm very, very curious as to whether it's a "generic" inscription or something more specific to the recipient. To be honest, every time I get something in the mail... small or large... I am just relieved it's arrived safely!

Looking forward to (maybe?) a third edition - many new pieces of information now available - from numbered awards, documents to pins. Not in the least, the "mystery" of the Laureat of Albania prize... apparently verified to exist (eyewitness reports) but no photograph yet available. On a sidenote, I understand work is underway on a new book on Albanian awards to be publised in Albania and to coincide with an exhibition in Tirana... may have to plan vacations appropriately

And for some detailed scans of the star: - weight total 18.8 gr - weight star only (i.e. excluding suspension) 14.5 gr - width ribbon: 19.93mm - height (excl connector) 14.46 - startip to startip 29.82 mm - top of hammer to bottom 10.05 mm - thickness at tip of star: 2.03 mm

Last one of doc...

By the way, is this on open display at the central bank or locked deep inside a vault and requiring special permission to view? Any other awards also down there?

And more detail - translation pending (awarded for something to do with "10 years...".

"apologies" accepted! These are the best pic's I've ever seen of this award!

Ov rview