Bulgaria Bulgarian Ministry of Interior Awards

[Stogieman]

I think this might be as close as we get to a Soviet-style "egg". Honored Employee of The Ministry of Interior Badge:

[Stogieman]

I believe this is pre 1971, reverse is not numbered.

[Stogieman]

You will also find this Otlitchnik Badge for The Ministry of Interior:

[Stogieman]

Here's a very late example of the Otlitchnik Badge, it has a tiny pin on the back as opposed to a screw-post. The colors are painted on as opposed to hot enamel.

[Stogieman]

In 1969, The Ministry of the Interior combined authority over the Bulgarian KDS (equivalent to the KGB), The Police and The Border Guards. All came under the umbrella of Ministry of Interior.

From about mid-1965 through this merger in 1969, the KDS issued its' own Long Service Medals. After 1969, KDS, Police, etc. all received Ministry of Interior Long Service Medals.

Let's start with examples of the KDS Long Service Medal. Here's an example of the 10-Year Medal:

[Stogieman]

15 Years Long Service to the KDS:

[Stogieman]

And the 20-Year Long Service Medal. Note the Pre-1971 Coat of Arms and the initials "KDS" at the bottom of each of these scarce medals:

[Stogieman]

In 1960, The Ministry of Interior established their own Long Service Medals. These can be found with the pre-1971 Coat of Arms on the reverse from 1960-1971, and the post-1971 Coat of Arms from 1971-1989.

Here's an example 1960-1970 for 10-Years Long Service, Ministry of Interior:

[Stogieman]

An example of the 15-Year Long Service Medal, 1960-1970:

[Stogieman]

And the 20-Year Long Service Medal, Ministry of Interior, 1960-1970:

[Stogieman]

Examples of this medal can be found without the MVR initials on the bottom of the reverse. These medals were awarded to individuals in the Fire Department/Services.

[Stogieman]

In 1971, medals began to be issued with the new Coat of Arms on the reverse. Here's an example of the 10-Year Long Service Medal, 1971-1989:

[Stogieman]

Here's an example of the 15-Year Long Service Medal, Ministry of Interior, 1971-1989:

[Stogieman]

Here's an example of a 20-Year Long Service Medal, Ministry of Interior, 1971-1989:

[Stogieman]

In addition to Long Service Medals, The Ministry of Interior issued Jubilee Medals for itself.

First up, the 20 Year Jubilee Medal, instituted in 1964:

[Stogieman]

Next we have the 25 Year Jubilee Medal, established in 1968:

[Stogieman]

Next up, 30 Year Jubilee Medal, Ministry of Interior, established in 1974:

[Stogieman]

In 1989, the 45 Year Jubilee Medal was authorized. Note the lessening quality as the prosperity of communism declined. I am not aware of any jubilee medals issued between the 30 Year Medal and this one.

[Stogieman]

In 1984, The Honored Employee Badge was re-issued in this form:

[Stogieman]

The Long Service Medals were issued in a case and with a document. Here's an example of the document and case cover for a 10-Year Medal, issued in 1975:

[Stogieman]

Interior of the document. Note that all 3 classes could be issued on one document. I do not know if this individual would have been issued a new document @ 15 years of service, or if his existing document would have been updated.

[Stogieman]

Additional Medals were issued by the Ministry of Interior. These included the following:

Medal for Merit in Protecting Public Order. Established 1969. Awarded with the old Coat of Arms from 1969-1971:

[Stogieman]

Type 2, awarded 1971-1991:

[Stogieman]

The Border Guards fall under the Ministry of Interior and a number of awards were established for these units.

Medal for Merit in Protecting The Frontiers, 1976-1989:

[Stogieman]

Badge for Excellent Border Guard: