Bob

And now the pic's are flowing in

2.5 years Mongolian awards exploded onto the collecting scene but have gone relatively quiet since then (due to a lack of supply and/or researchability) but this forum sure has made it a nice ride sofar! :jumping:

On eBay, a 3rd class prize medal (pin back), expensive though... We can therefore assume that there must also be a second class

On ebay you'll frequently find good heavy photo books incl. military pics with uniforms. Search for seller elviscenko and just check periodically.

Revisited the case and it essentially says on cover: Order Skanderbeg Kl 2 ... so correct for this order (and custom fit on the inside)

Will have a look when I'm home again. I thought I had specifically seen Skanderbeg 2nd class written on the box, but my eyes may have betrayed me.

Based on the known observations a timing estimate vs. what's in the order booklet - labor medal: Nr 427 1946 or earlier 1944 - labor order: 2770 1960 1966 - labor order: 3495 somewhere 60s 1956 - polar star: 5181 52 or so 1951 - polar star 10847 62 or so not in the order booklet - polar star: 14799 71 or so 1971 Conclusions: - 2 polar stars seem to fit fine - something funny with the labor orders - interesting datapoint on labor medal as previous low was 1946

Not sure if there's any SB for sale at the moment (in the West) 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 1.183, www.huesken.com - MARCH 2007 - EURO 1.650 (roughly 2.200 USD), nr 1.514, www.huesken.com - JUNE 2007 - EURO 1.300 (roughly 1.700 USD), nr 1.246, private seller - SEPTEMBER 2007 - EURO 1.600 (roughly 2.200 USD - before fees!), nr 1.514, Andreas Thies October auction - OCTOBER 2007 - USD 1.850, nr 1.947, Nota Bene - NOVEMBER 2007 - USD 2.150, nr 1.837, www.collectrussia.com - NOVEMBER 2007 - USD 1.950, nr 1.437, Nota Bene - JANUARY 2008 - USD 2.000 (excl. 15% auction premium), nr 1,246, Dmitry Markov auction - JANUARY 2008 - USD 1.925, nr 902, eBay - FEBRUARY 2008 - USD 2.200, nr 1.617, somewhere in Russia - MARCH 2008 - USD 2.750, nr 1.635, www.collectrussia.com - MARCH 2008 - USD 2.750, nr 860, Nota Bene - APRIL 2008 - USD 3.200, nr 1.600, www.collectrussia.com - APRIL 2008 screwback - USD 1.680, nr 644, Nota Bene - NOVEMBER 2006 - EUR 1.630 (roughly 2.150 USD), nr 585, Albert GMIC - MAY 2007 - USD 2.650, nr 644 (again!), Nota Bene - OCTOBER 2007 (boxed) - USD 2.900, nr 640, www.collectrussia.com - NOVEMBER 2007 - USD 2.500, nr 777, somewhere in Russia - DECEMBER 2007 - USD 3.250 (excl. 15% auction premium), nr 427, Dmitry Markov auction - JANUARY 2008 - USD 3.225, nr 556, private seller - MAY 2008 CURRENTLY FOR SALE ? PREVIOUSLY FOR SALE BUT NOT REPORTED AS SOLD screwback - USD 5.000, nr 227, Coinsell (on eBay)

polar star 10847 <-- missing in the booklet the booklet contains an extra award - have to look up what it is - suspect a medal the intervals of some of the orders in the booklet strongly suggest long service awards to me also note the typo in the booklet for one of the labor orders I'm inclined to (wishfully) think that a person with bad intentions would do this so clumsily Besides, I received it from somebody I definately trust Would love to find out the story behind this group (of course)

what came with the booklet: - labor medal: Nr 427 - labor order: 2770 - labor order: 3495 - polar star: 5181 - polar star 10847 - polar star: 14799

And here things go a bit astray because it doesn't look right (also not all awards seperately provided are accounted for here). On the other hand, this may be a case of the recipient himself adding to the booklet? Will eagerly await the archives opening By the way, to offset some of the horror stories about dealers, I received this set for FREE as a thank you for helping somebody out with an item in his collection :cheers:

1955 booklet

This came in the mail today

Items received Putting his business partners on copy (several times ) must have done the trick.

:jumping: A date anywhere in the booklet? :rolleyes:

34.5 gr 24.0 gr (excl. suspension) Unfortunately don't have my other's handy for comparison weighing

Partial translation: "Short and concrete description of a personal heroic achievements or merits. In combat for breaking through the German defence from Narvsckii bridgehead, comrade Jukov together with the operational group from the staff of the regiment in the capacity of a liaison officer has carried out critical communication tasks to the infantry subdivisions under a strong enemy fire. 15.1.45 in "Tshinetz" village he and the commander of the regiment repelled German counter-attack with tanks and sub-machine gunners. He personally killed 2 Germans. During a counter-attack of Germans comrade Jukov has carried from the battlefield a heavily wounded officer ? the captain of the reconnaissance comrade Vedensckii. He merits the order of Great Patriotic War of the second level. Commander of the regiment, Major Musienko" Oddly enough this is not referring to the Red Star which he received - he was downgraded?

Ed - any word from Bat on the list of questions posed for him on this forum a while back at your indication? Thanks

Reverse

We've seen a few (rare!) examples of Ikom screwback 3rd class Skanderbegs, which are numbered (and researchable *fingers crossed*). Finally I've managed to get my hands on a 2nd class one... not numbered, however very nicely cased! So, presumably a first class Ikom screwback type must then also exist somewhere out there. Probably very, very rare considering I've only seen 2-3 of these Ikom type screwbacks second class.

great thanks please let your friend know i'm happy to help if he ever needs a translation Dutch-English :cheers:

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=845&st=100 posted one awarded to a foreigner - would be very interested to see a translation of this one! :rolleyes: