Greg Collins

Kevin, The medal in the 4th position looks to me as if it is a "Medal for Distinguished Services in Defense of the Social Order and the Country" (RPR or '66-'68 RSR Transitional). Granted the blue is dark on the bar, but I can't figure out what else it could be, especially with the first position award being what it is. This bar appears to be from a Securitate member who served during both the RPR and RSR periods. I believe this is the first time I've seen RPR and RSR awards mixed on the same bar with respect to Securitate awards. Great find!

The labour bar, because of the exclusion of any military awards, was probably worn by a civilian. The 12 space bar is showing 25 years of service; the Securitate award (I'm assuming it's a 3rd Class because of it's position) in the third position was awarded to Sergeants and above, so this bar could have belonged to a career Sergeant or higher.

And the guts of the blank document...

There have been a few medals produced, at the close of last year, by various organizations to commemorate Stalin's 130th. I find this the most attractive. Produced by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (their logo on the back), it is obviously modeled on the Order of Lenin. Insofar as I know, these medals were produced as fund raisers... which means I can fill the document out with my name (in Russian, of course) and wear it with my others down to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Hmmmmm, it's an idea... wonder if anyone would buy me a drink?:cheeky:

I don't know if this does the "find" justice, but WOW! Very, VERY nice!

That 12 space bar is beautiful, Kevin! The only ribbon that's out of order is the 25th Anniversary- if it was placed in the 11th position, all would be correct. This bar is probably the closest to being in the correct order that I have ever seen. AND, it's Securitate!

This next document is for the same award, but from the transitional period of 1966-1968 (second variation). As I said, I don't have this medal, but it looks the same as the medal shown, ribbon and all, except the State seal will have RSR on the lower banner and, just below the State seal, will have larger letters RSR (instead of RPR). Both the medal and the document are quite rare. Also of note: notice how the doc has become "simplified"- more "secretive". Only a decree number (170 A) and the year (1966) and the name of the recipient (Colonel Adrian Pop- during the RSR years, it became more common to place the family name second whereas during the RPR period they stuck with the more culturally Romanian way of placing the family name first). The outside is plain, bearing only the word "legitimatie" or license.

The inside and outside of the document itself...

As promised, a couple of documents for the Medal for Distinguished Services in Defense of the Social Order and the Country (Securitate). These documents are for the first (a medal I have) and second (a medal I don't have) of three variations of this award. I have posted photos of the first variation earlier in the thread but have brought it out for the first image as a reminder. This award was to Lieutenant Constantin Duca and was made on August 19, 1954 (I was about 5 and a half months old at the time). It is award number 262; quite early as this award did not begin until 1953. Note a space, on the inside left, for a photo and signature. Neither of these spots was touched- remember, this is a Securitate award. These areas were eliminated in future documents. A nice touch, common to award booklets of the RPR period, is a colour band mimicking the ribbon on the outside cover.

Without seeing the specific badges to which you are referring, I would say it's pretty much the same as with every other country/period- some badges will be more worth keeping than others. However, it's good to remember that there are no more of the "real thing" being made and, as supplies dwindle, demand may go up. I've noticed a recent increase in interest in some GST badges.

The Order in it's box with ribbon bar and the box lid. If you look closely, you can just make out the Cl. II at the bottom.

I waited a long time to find the perfect 2nd Class Order "Pentru servicii deosebite aduse în apãrarea orânduirii sociale ºi de stat", and the wait finally paid off. I managed to snag a first variation (text book) of the Order with it's ribbon and box. It was, originally, the "odd man out" as the only difference between the 1st and 3rd classes of the Order was the gold plating on the 1st class. The 2nd class in it's first incarnation, however, had three major differences: it was silver plated, had imitation rubies rather than imitation diamonds and the wreath below the State seal was gold plated (to contrast with the silver plated star). You will note all these differences here. In it's second variation, the wreath became silver plated like the other classes and, in it's 3rd variation, the rubies became diamonds. Also of note is the gold plated State seal on the ribbon bar- this is the same bar for all 3 classes.

And a detail of the maker's name on the "nut"...

The back...

Here's an impressive Cossack badge/order that reads "In Defense Pridnestrovie". It bears Suvorov's image and is made of four pieces. Bronze/brass and white enamel which, despite being white (an thicker than other colours) is handled very nicely and precise. The gold plating is beautiful and the whole order is nice and heavy. The "nut" on the back indicates the maker to be the Pobeda factory in Moscow.

A 60 Years of the Police badge variant. In Dr. Battushig's book, this badge is pictured with the red and blue reversed from what it is here. Bronze and paint/enamel.

And, you guessed it, the back...

Next, an Evidentiat in Intrecera Socialista (Highlighted in Socialist Competition) badge. Very well made badge in bronze and enamel. Also of note: this badge is numbered either 981 or 987.

And the back...

A couple of Romanian Mining badges, both from the RPR period (1947-1965). First, a Miner Fruntas (Miner Leader) Badge. Bronze, looks to have been silver plated at first, and enamel. Pin back.

It says, "Soyuz Sovietskik Officerov" or "United Soviet Officers". It is the badge of the Soviet Officers' Association.

Kevin, Thanks for the info... I can see now that, based on the "tab" of the pin holder and the probable stamping methods of the day, it could well be M.S.. I'll take another look at mine shortly. Would I be correct in assuming that Romanian medals, orders and badges were made in a government mint? By far, most of the countries I collect did have such awards made at a government mint (with very few exceptions), but then when you get to the DDR this is not the case.

Alex, Congratulations on such a great find! This is one of my favorite badges. I've noticed alot of re-gluing on Romanian badges; have also seen a fair amount of medal repairs involving reattaching the top ring. My guess regarding the "S" is that this is an identification mark of the manufacturer or mint. I have no idea what it stands for and hope someone will enlighten us about it.

Can't help you with that, unfortunately. None available on Alexei's site right now- I'd probably shoot him an e-mail to watch out for one.

As much as I like the badge, I'm really taken with the center-piece. Great holiday decoration!:cheers: