Eric Gaumann

The handle on the sickle is weird. Even unbent it looks weird. I'd say "no, too risky".

Classic propaganda. Literally. No one will ever know when these photos were really taken. But I sincerely doubt the roof was still 'slick with blood from the fighting' when the picture was taken. In any event it don't matter; it *was* Berlin in '45, and the Russians were the winners. 'nuff said.

Here's my two. The new kid on the bloc, the OG2, I just got yesterday and I'm 90+% sure it's good (based on reviews elsewhere). His mate, OG3, I've had for a long time. The OG2 I have looked at for about a year now in a local shop. The fat ring made me uncomfortable, but on a whim I bought it (and a Budapest, Warsaw and Leningrad). The price was right and the return policy good. I had also bought a Nevsky and an ORBt2v2 from the same guy last year. Both turned out good. The serial number on OG2 (18617) dates to Feb/March '45 (thanks to Rick's wonderful database). Somebody paid for this one no doubt.

And closer-up of the medallions: I believe (as told both other, more knowledgeable folks) that this is a fairly good copy (aka Fake). The less than crisp details on the faces (moustaches, collars, tie knot) are bad points although there are other details that I do think are good. I'd love to hear other opinions though so please gimme your best shot.

My guess is they are casting flaws, and since the original medal was struck and not cast that would make them copies. But I'm not an expert. I should post my PM1 here. Hang on....

Wow! Those early Republic badges were/are just spectacular. What I wouldn't give just to see a few live and in person....

Back to the original topic; I'm thrilled there now is an English language version of the Mondvor website! And the pictures load so much faster; another bonus. Thank you Andrew. You help make collecting a lot of fun. (and addictive)

I recall when I lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA 20 years ago there was an issue about 'mine subsidence' in certain areas. This was because of coal mining back in the late 19th/early 20th century.... Many years later the ground would give way above said coal mines as the tunnels collapsed and the homes built on the surfarce above the mines would get wrecked.

For us monoglots what does "Gramota" mean? Postcard? I like the image in post#2 where it seems it's autographed by Lenin himself.

On TV right now.

The reason I ask is that I've seen dealer's prices for mirror reverses at 8 to 10 times the flatback price.

Are the 'mirror reverse' variations to the 3 Maternal orders much rarer &/or collectable than the flat reverse?

Yes. According to Paul Schmitt himself his (and PMD's) only mistake/biggest regret was printing the First and Second class backwards. The "First Class Gold" is actually second class brass whereas the Silver grade is "First Class".

Holy Toledo Batman! What a group. Nice one Ed! I suspect the ones posted under this are just as nice. Yes, you do. And soon, before the prices take off. They're still less than a C-note. And be sure and get a screwback. Pins are for chumps. So very un-"Soviet".

Prices will vary for one specific item from dealer to dealer. There's lots of reasons why, including their cost, perceived rarity, ignorance and wishful thinking. Genereally speaking though, the more words in a dealer's description the higher the price.

I have to agree with Kevin here. My thoughts are basically the same. It's a shame eBay pulls stuff like this. Unless there is a literal Canadian law prohibitting the sale of the Order Of Canada than the seller has every right to do with it as he pleases. It's my understanding that the Great White North is still a free country. And shame on eBay for arbitrarily enforcing their 'rules' on what can be sold; either one can sell medals or one can't. Period. BTW, nice lookin' Order.

I did. Just found this thread. That is what I call a "medal bar"!

As for the coins the least destructive way would be to soak them in olive oil. After a month take them out, give them a scrub with a nylon brush, change the oil and soak some more. It takes a long while but it's the best way to remove hundreds of years of caked on crud. The electrolysis method can be very destructive. Trust me on that one.

Sorry I missed this. No, not me. I just remember seeing that name a *lot*.

With a face like that it's easy to see why groups like Cheka, Gestapo, CIA &c can be so successful in what they do. Then again it's dangerous to judge a book by it's cover. This guy might have been gentle shepherd and the father of a happy family.

"Order of Survivor "??????? Damn, a new medal to collect. Man, I tell ya what, those are two sweet awards! Talk about "minty".

This is the Khalkhin Gol? Sheesh, how can ya tell? I mean, I can vaguely see the flag, sword and horse, if I squint hard... Not that I doubt GZ got this and wears it it with pride...it's just so hard to recognize from this image. Y'all got good eyes.

That photo of Dmitrusenko seems vaguely familiar. I've seen it in some sort of "red" book me thinks.

Agreed. "Insurance value" is different, and almost always higher, than market value. Just watch Antiques Roadshow for a while. And Christian, thanks so much for showing what the different parts of a multi-piece order looks like. I see that maybe once a year here, there and at the other forum. Very rare and informative.

Wow! Nice! Holy Smoke! Super! That's what I call a collection. Can I come over to your house?