Albania Albanian Red Star Order 1st Class

[Stogieman]

A voice has reached out to you from beyond Cyberspace.

So Sayeth Rick Research:

"I blame Eric Schena for coming home from my only local show with a handful of Hoxha regime awards. If Eric hadn’t written “The Decorations of Socialist Albania: An introductory Guide” in 2006 this would never have happened."

"Here is his #13 Urdhëri Ylli I Kuq, 1st Class (“gold”), awarded 87 times. Unfortunately the enamel on both lower arms is chipped, but such rarity excuses condition. It is on Eric’s Type 1a suspension. It’s that odd non-tarnishing “gold” alloy—anyone know what the metal actually is?"

[Stogieman]

"Since the reverse is blank, here is a close-up of the obverse:

Obviously modeled on the Soviet Order of Glory, I wonder if it was required to have the 2nd and 3rd Classes before getting a 1st Class—or could these be awarded independently of any or no other class held?"

My thanks to Evil Ricky for posting this since I’m offline. Rick Research

[Bob]

A voice has reached out to you from beyond Cyberspace.

So Sayeth Rick Research:

"I blame Eric Schena for coming home from my only local show with a handful of Hoxha regime awards. If Eric hadn’t written “The Decorations of Socialist Albania: An introductory Guide” in 2006 this would never have happened."

"Here is his #13 Urdhëri Ylli I Kuq, 1st Class (“gold”), awarded 87 times. Unfortunately the enamel on both lower arms is chipped, but such rarity excuses condition. It is on Eric’s Type 1a suspension. It’s that odd non-tarnishing “gold” alloy—anyone know what the metal actually is?"

Good - the more the merrier:)

I wouldn't assume the award is very rare (how rare? who knows) just because supposedly 87 were issued. Most likely, yours is not an issued one, but who's to say without a document.

[jeffskea]

Hello,

I just recently picked up some nice Albanian awards. Here is a Red Star 1st Class with RPSSH on the bottom of the obverse. I understand that to be the type 2 version, which I understand was awarded after 1976?

Jeff

[jeffskea]

Here is the full medal.