DDR 20 years to the DDR medal and NVA sport badge

[Ingsoc]

Here are couple of new purchases, the 20 years to the founding of the DDR medal (or is it the badge?) and the NVA sport badge (in gold? or is it the usual color of all those badges?)

[speedytop]

Hi Ingsoc,

the first is a medal, "Medaille 20 Jahre DDR". There is also an "Ehrenmedaille 20 Jahre DDR", the same medal, but the bar upholstered with velvet.

There is only one grade for the "Milit?rsportabzeichen der DDR".

Regards

Uwe

[Ingsoc]

Thanks for your replay, speedytop! my question about the 20 years medal was because the reverse is blank and I remember that I saw that on the reverse their should be some writing. is this another difference between the Medaille and the Ehrenmedaille?

[speedytop]

Sorry, I don't know it, because I don't have the Erinnerungsmedaille with the upholstered bar.

Uwe

[seb16trs]

the ehrenmedaille is a by far more elaborated medal, with nice enamels and brass construction...

[Ingsoc]

Yes it's does look nicer... any idea why two kinds of medals were issues and what the difference between them?

[seb16trs]

Yes it's does look nicer... any idea why two kinds of medals were issues and what the difference between them?

I suppose the first one is a pin for every simple citizen; the medal is for meritorious comrades.

[speedytop]

Hi,

that is correct, the better medal is for meritorious party members (SED), awarded with document.

Uwe

[seb16trs]

Hi,

that is correct, the better medal is for meritorious party members (SED), awarded with document.

Uwe

but I never managed to find any picture of this very document... all documents related to the 20th anniversary I saw were given without medal.

[Guest Rick Research]

Neither of these are in my 1978 DDR book on DDR awards. That even shows the awards of the phony front "political parties" and "independent peace organizations." :(

[speedytop]

Hi,

I can refer only to Frank Bartel, DDR-Spezialkatalog 1949-1990, 2nd edition 1998, page 371:

"Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (SED)

...

Erinnerungsmedaille "20 Jahre DDR"

4374 Bronze goldfarben, emailliert, an samtbezogener Spange mit Auflage XX, ?bergeben mit Ehrenurkunde (1969)"

With a picture on page 370, exact the medal in Post 5. Original with a case, see also Post 5

It is an SED honour award.

Regards

Uwe

[Greg Collins]

Thought I'd add my 2 cents here. Got in touch directly with Frank Bartel on this award and, although he indicated very little is known about particulars of the award, it should be classified, as has been pointed out, as an SED Honour Award. I'm fortunate enough to have one in it's original case (no document though). As the medal's obverse has already been shown, I'm including images of the medal in case and the reverse of the medal.