Bob

Number of reasons why I am in doubt about this one, such as: - wrong screwdisc - mint mark on reverse - the ring fixed to the ribbon is not as even in thickness compared with other ones - enamel on the medal itself appears to be putting more distance between the soyombo elements - don't entirely like the numbering on reverse However, I must say the enamel (also on ribbon) is quite good. Could it be that a Type 3 exists? Tang Si - do you own it? What is the provenance?

Just seen pics of a Soyombo numbered 424 interestingly enough (coming from China) which is apparently on the market for sale... but it concerns me: - either there is a type 3 Soyombo (more similar to type 2 than 1) - or it's a fake Considering the lack of documentation already on type 2 and with the presumably only one shared on this site being "vetted" by the ultimate expert, I am naturally inclined to assume that the 424 is a fake but obviously may very well be wrong as in fact some of the differences vs. type 2 are such which would not make sense for a faker to make (e.g. what appears to be a mintmark). Hope the current owner posts pics here for discussion.

Well, it's never too late for him to get back in... although that would probably result in the high-end gaps in my collection becoming even more unattainable.

Are you sure? I thought Dmitry Markov had stepped out of Mongolian awards a year or so ago.

Thanks Lukasz, More Mongolian ribbons than I realized apparently. Will have to double check Dr B's book because I did scan through it and don't recall seeing indications for all those ribbons but then perhaps you are correct indeed there are more ribbons than we know. http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2430...mp;#entry153904 Cross-reference to the main Mongolian ribbons thread.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=15730 Let's see what comes out of this...

Here's one that I recently bought. Nice box and (corresponding?) booklet. The date seems out of whack though.

http://www.russianglory.com/soviet_orders.htm Why is the OoL nr 42.105 11k USD? I am a relative novice in Soviet awards but isn't that a fairly common Lenin?

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 SCREWBACK - USD 1.680, nr 644, Nota Bene - NOVEMBER 2006 Currently for sale PIN BACK - EURO 1.600 (roughly 2.100 USD), nr 1183, www.huesken.com SCREWBACK - USD 2.900, nr 640, www.collectrussia.com

Sold to me as Mongolian, but only the first one seems Mongolian to me (Order of Combat Valor). So, where's the rest from? Or is this a fantasy piece?

Seeing them next to each other, to be honest, the SB I found to be really in a different league vs. the OoL in terms of beauty. The Lenin's are great of course... but you've just gotta love the SB's.

It's a genuine pinback (1785 if I recall correctly)

Agree - unfortunately another "story" we'll not easily get to the bottom of.

Here we go - not very sharp images but gives an impression

I'll see what I can find for you I guess I hope to have more luck in May then as I visit Stalingrad.

OK, so where are they sold?

While enjoying the weight and beauty of a newly arrived SB in my hand, I realized that these were not with Russian mintmarks... for some reason, that surprises me. Why would the Polar Stars have them yet these not? Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised. Too many mysteries... with Mongolia being such a small country by population you'd hope that there'd be an easier path to getting answers. Oh well, patience is a virtue right:)

I bought the SB on Alexei's website which was boxed. Will post a pic later this week. It's an interesting little box... not a typical box and I presume not an "official" one but a very nice little box indeed so I presume the owner cared a lot for his SB. Edit: let me correct that statement... judging from the box, I suspect (male chauvinist speaking here) that it was awarded to a woman:). Now, if only we had research...

Recently sold PINBACK - USD 1.870, nr 1.918, Nota Bene - JANUARY 2007 - USD 1.880, nr 1.785, Nota Bene - JANUARY 2007 (boxed) SCREWBACK - USD 1.680, nr 644, Nota Bene - NOVEMBER 2007 Currently for sale PIN BACK - USD 1.950, nr 860, www.russianglory.com - EURO 1.600 (roughly 2.100 USD), nr 1183, www.huesken.com SCREWBACK - USD 2.900, nr 640, www.collectrussia.com

Thanks for this thread. Very interesting!

Intend to go back to Belarus this summer - travelling around the country extensively by car (assuming it doesn't get stolen along the way... in Ukraine the 1 night I had not parked my Audi in guarded parking there was an attempt to steal it within 2 hours of it standing alone). I've been to Belarus before but the highlights warrent another visit: - Brest fortress (absolutely magnificant to walk around and also the museum) - Minsk (the Museum of Great Patriotic War is quite an experience) ...and then see some of the places I haven't seen before. 8 years ago I recall there was a market for medals in center of Minsk in the park - can anybody advise me on places to "shop" now? thanks, Bob

Thanks - that's an awesome picture. The amount of "history" standing there

Where can I buy it? Just kidding

Front

2 badges: - pinback "distinguished mercantile worker"... note: numbered (rare for Albanian badges / awards) - screwback Prawema (tiny screw by the way) BPSH (BASHKIMET PROFESIONALE TE SHQIPERISE or ALBANIAN PROFESSIONAL UNION) badge