Greg Collins

Charles and Gordon, Thanks for the information! It appears, from Tamas' answer, that there was a "slop" factor (fuzzy area) immediately after the '56 revolution before things became standardized. Understandable, as there were more pressing things than cap badges on peoples' minds at that time.

Charles, What cap insignia did the Border Guard use after the '56 revolution? Did they go to the police insignia (with crossed weapons below the star) or did they adopt the star over the tri-colour- the same as the armed forces?

A very recent acquisition... another sports medal with a "Bastya transitioning to Dozsa" feel to it. It's a light alloy shooting award (1st Place Pistol) obviously awarded by the Internal Ministry in 1961. As you can see, the AVO/AVH cap emblem is a design element on the medal's front (the Bastya connection), while the colours used on the suspension are purple and white (the Dozsa colours). Not a high quality medal by any means, but nice to have nonetheless.

And the page for the three level of Irreproachable Service to the PMR. Some of the badges/awards I have shown are not in this awards book because they are not national but ministerial awards, because they are Cossack awards, or because they have come about after this book was published.

Generally, the award will be on the left and the "blurb" will cover the page the award is depicted on and the facing page. If a medal has multiple levels (only one did in 2004), all three levels will be depicted on a single page. There is no coverage for variations, though there were some by that time (again, not a collector's guidebook). First, an example of an Order (Labour Glory- the highest labour award).

I was asked recently if there were any books about PMR decorations. To my knowledge there is one- only one, and it's extremely rare and I'm very fortunate to have a copy. It was produced by the government in 2004 (it's somewhat dated as there have been several medals added since). It's not a collector's guidebook but, rather, a coffee table type book that was probably presented at state dinners or similar functions. It shows a basic view of the award, when it was established and what it is for. The book is 96 pages in length and is in Russian. The quality of the printing is somewhat lacking as the images are generally slightly out of register which has the effect of "softening" the focus, but the paper and binding is quite good.

I'm not absolutely sure, Frank. All indicators that I have access to point toward Pridnestrovie being a Host, rather than a simple incursion. The Cossacks are always in the news at some level and, as I've already said, they bolster the military and police forces- they even provide personnel at the borders. I'm pretty sure Pridnestrovie has become home.

And the reverse with "nut"...

Frank, I believe the Cross for Fidelity was first awarded for participants in the War of Transdniestria in 1992 by President Igor Smirnov. While the new country is called a variety of names (such as Transdniestria- land across the Dniester River), it's official name is the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic. The Black Sea Cossacks joined with the ethnically Russian population of this strip of land in a war of separation from Moldova (largely ethnically Romanian). The Russian 14th Guards Army entered the fight to bring it to an end and, as it stands, Pridnestrovie (it's shortened, common name) functions as an independent nation and, I believe there is still a Russian presence in a peacekeeping role- there is still considerable "bad blood" between Pridnestrovie and Moldova. Anyway, the Black Sea Cossacks have a home there and augment the standing military/police forces. To date, Pridnestrovie has not been recognized by any major country. Oh yeah, another point of interest... Pridnestrovie has chosen to keep the "trappings" of the Moldavian SSR, including the flag (which is seen as often with the hammer and sickle as not) and a slightly modified state seal which still bears the hammer and sickle. Oddly, the process is democratic and neither of the two Communist parties there have appreciable influence. For more on Pridnestrovie awards from my collection go to: http://gmic.co.uk/in...showtopic=38666 Another Cossack award associated with this area; the Cross for Defense of Pridnestrovie. A beautiful, heavy and very well made, multi- piece award produced by the Probeda Factory in Moscow. The image is that of General Suvorov- THE personality associated with Pridnestrovie.

That's just about right for the last model Waffenbrudershaft... quality and finish definitely not on par with earlier versions. Pretty much the case with all DDR awards, I'm afraid. And the fact that there was no State Mint for medals- they were "jobbed out", sometimes several different entities making the same badge or medal. Lots of variations. Does not appear to be a "fake".

Hey Alex! In my opinion, a little less than $50 is just about correct for the current market for that ribbon bar. There aren't a lot of Securitate collectors around. Even on Okazii I've seen Securitate items that are just too over priced stay unsold for years... I don't know if the sellers are hoping for a great upswing in the world's economy, but they had better wake up because I believe we're in this "sag" for the long haul. If they are really intent on selling the items, they would do well to come down on their prices- after all, the items are probably incredibly "marked up" from what they paid (Kevin has an interesting story about an elderly woman who was really taken advantage of regarding her dead husband's awards).

This IS a Securitate ribbon bar, as evidenced by the 4th award (Order for Distinguished Services in Defense of the Social Order and the Country - 2nd Class- pre '68). Also, there's a Border Guard award (Defense of the Country Medal) in the 13th position. The last award is actually a Bulgarian award (30 Years of Bulgarian People's Army) indicating a cross-border connection which was common with the various security organizations within the Warsaw Pact. I'd be curious regarding the final sale price- it's a nice bar.

Was on our favorite auction site... killing time... when I happened on what appeared to be a 2nd Class 100 Year MVR badge. It was not identified as that but, rather, as an MVR Graduation badge. Curious. I opened the page and noticed the price was $99, which freaked me out a bit and I would have normally closed-out but I noticed something in the image of the badge's reverse. I enlarged the image and found a stylized lion's head with "www.mint.bg" below. I followed the link to find that the Bulgarian Mint is, apparently, privatized and in operation. They have a sampling of production, so I chose "insignia" and, low and behold, one of the offerings is an ultra-rare prototype MVR Medical Academy graduation badge! Now, I guess, NOT so rare! I've also come to learn that not all their products have their new "www" address and logo on the back. To date, I've seen two examples- a couple of 100 Year MVR badges (one actually had a pin back with "dammit" clutch fastener rather than the wheel nut) and the Prototype MVR Medical badge on the market. What's next?!!! Kinda makes me sick.

And a detail of the medal's front...

The back...

My previous supply of PMR awards "dried up" and it's been awhile since I've been able to acquire something new. I recently found this in Israel- a medal for 15 Years of the Pridnestrovie Militia.

Gentlemen, Many thanks for your help!

Absolutely beautiful! :love:

A couple more great finds, Kevin! Been looking for those as well- items available in the States have been the "same old, same old" for awhile now. Guess it's time to go to Brasov.:jumping:

The back and nut...

Here's a recently acquired Military Medical Academy badge. All the traits of the badge- brass, lacquered-over enamel- point to late construction... probably '80's.

This document is virtually the same as the other save for the first page information...

The badge back and Komuna nut...

Another medical badge and doc; this time, the badge is of the first variation (screw-back)...

Kevin, All hail the conquering hero! With choruses and deep bows in the background of "we're not worthy, we're not worthy"!!!:jumping: Simply beautiful! Many thanks for the enlargements. I'll go buy another keyboard now. Greg