Greg Collins

One thing I learned early on was the importance of documents. While the medal is pretty and shiny, having the document to go with it can often double (or more) the value. In some cases, I have found the document to be worth more than the medal. Anyway, here are a few documents with their medals. First, a 1957 model Meritorious Service Medal with document issued in 1963:

Yep, had a bunch at one time (probably still laying around here somewhere). We used to call them "John Waynes" although I haven't a clue why. Every sailor carried one on his keyring. Thanks for posting- brings back memories.

This next piece is a 5 years of service (in the Voluntary Police) badge. This one has a blue surround. I've seen 10 and 15 year badges with a white surround, with the blue surround reappearing at 25 years. I imagine there is a 20 year badge though I have yet to see one.

This is the only insignia I've been able to come up with regarding this organization; if anyone else has anything, please post it here.

Recently received a badge for a Voluntary Policeman, which I assume is the equivalent of the Soviet Druszhnik. I nearly overlooked it because the central wheat shaft over the cog looked, at first glance, to be some sort of agricultural badge. This particular example is a heavy alloy with hot enamel... I have seen the same badge with cold enamel. Standard pin back.

Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing that early and rare badge.:jumping:

A very nice badge, Gordon. Was so inspired I went and found one for my collection. Great enamel (which is a phrase frequently used with respect to Hungarian items). Anyway, here's mine...

While I don't have the service cap to add to this thread, I do have a police cap badge in pretty nice condition. I understand that if the badge did not have the firearms below the star, the badge would be AVH or Border Guard.

Found an agricultural set the other day... no box (damn), just the badges. I'm thinking this is a mismatched set as I would suspect that the miniature would show more wear than the full-sized badge. Here, the mini looks brand new while the full sized badge is showing it's age.

And the back. Translation anyone?

A closeup of the front...

Picked this up the other day, faded and a little worse for wear, no box or ribbon, but a nice looking award none the less. Silver plating over bronze.

In a "nut shell" this medal was established in 1989; a list of recipients was drawn up; the government changed; in 1990, the award was given for the first, and last, time.

This is the silver grade of the Service Medal for the Penal Authorities, also called the Correctional Service Medal. In this grade, only 45 awards were given.

I received this today... the Rendor Tiszti Academy badge. I believe this was an academy for Police/Internal Ministry. Sorry about the harsh lighting- the name plate is gun-metal gray which required the brighter light to be able to read. Would appreciate any info anyone can give on this. Thanks.

In my opinion, the Order is a genuine late model Karl Marx. I also believe it to be very over priced. Let's face it, you can get a 23k + platinum Order of Lenin for under $2,000 USD. Granted the Karl Marx is rarer, but this is the final version with the lower gold content- my guess is that this particular award was never issued, but is from old stock. Maybe worth 2,000 pounds- my opinion.

I realize this is an old thread but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. Picked these up recently... a shooting and cycling MSZHSZ badge (still looking for an engineering variation). My shooting badge seems to be a silver-plated variant.

Actually, I was wrong. The example I have seen in a blue box is the final version- blue box, white inside. As this is on a dealer's site, PM me for the web address.

The only version I know of that was issued in a blue case was the first version.

I came by one of the post-'77 Flood Prevention medals the other day- too good of a deal to pass up. Took this front detail- hand held camera and hand held medal in waning sunlight. I do like this particular version of the medal best from a design standpoint- the working of the background, machinery, etc.

And the front and back of the medal itself. As I end my contributions to this thread, I'd like to thank everyone for their kind comments here and as PM's, and thanks for welcoming me into this community.:D

And, finally, the Return to the Workers and Peasants Rule medal with box:

Front and back views of the medal itself...

Well, who would have thought a volcano would erupt and slow down shipments enough to interrupt my thread but, hey, stuff happens. I did, however, get two of the four remaining pieces last evening, and these happen to be the two more spectacular (in my opinion) of the remaining "beginning" items, so with these medals, I've decided to let the thread die a natural death and declare an "end to the beginning" of my Hungarian collection. From this point on, it becomes serious:angry:.

First up, a 1954 model Medal of Meritorious Service, boxed with ribbon...

There are enough versions of this badge to rate it as a collection in itself. Suggest you search this forum- you'll be surprised at how many there are. I was.

And another "first"... this is the first time I've ever seen a State seal without R.P.R., R.S.R. or Romania on it. Wow!

Do we, as collectors, ever stop? We take breaks, to be sure, especially when the market "slumps" as it does upon occasion, and the offerings just aren't what we're looking for. But stop outright? I don't know if any collector has ever done that except as it has coordinated with his/her stopping breathing.:blush: