Price for Red Star for Afghanistan

[pmargulies]

What is a fair price for a Red Star for service in Afghanistan, with the award book?  

Thanks

[NavyFCO]

You're hearing crickets for a couple of reasons:

First and foremost, who the recipient was is a huge factor in the value. General officer? Private? Truck driver? Artilleryman? Special forces? 

Second, what's the citation? Is it for direct heroism against the enemy? Or is it a long service award? (Yes, I know they didn't have "official" long service awards at the time, but it was not unknown to "fluff" an award with a citation to award it to someone who had many years of service...) 

Third, the market for Soviet awards is completely unpredictable right now. I'm watching stuff go unsold on eBay that would have sold for 50-100% more, just a few months ago. What this might have sold for last year is probably not what it will sell for now. 

Just my thoughts...

Dave

[pmargulies]

Dave - thanks for the reply.  I watched some of your items sell/not sell on eBay and was surprised by it;  I thought about bidding on a few items b/c the price was right. I usually collect based on where I am living and right now it is Kyrgyzstan, and I have ventured off the path of Kyrgyz medals to Soviet ones.

The Red Star belongs to an acquaintance who earned it as a private.  I haven't seen the citation yet, but I am sure he will tell me the story.  He is going to give me the book too. I already have his Kyrgyz medals, earned as a GKNB (their successor to the KGB similar to other former Central Asian SSRs)  Colonel Alpha.  He is a knowledgable collector in his own right, and I have gotten a few good medals from him.

Almost done reading your book - excellent work.  

Paul

 

 

 

 

 

[NavyFCO]

Thanks Paul!

Now you're talking with the details on the Red Star. It sounds pretty incredible at this point...especially getting it directly from the veteran. That was my dream of dreams when I was collecting Soviet awards! As far as value...geeze...the sky's the limit on this one. Really what someone would be willing to pay, especially with the other medals. Sounds like a real "wow" group!

Dave

P.S. you SHOULD have bid on some of my medals! LOL

[Ferdinand]

Afghanistan Red Stars start at around $100-150, but since you have the award book, other awards belonging to the same recipient, and background info, this one may be worth a bit more. Its condition is also a fairly important factor.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Ferdinand

[pmargulies]

Ferdinand and Dave - appreciate the responses.  Soviet collecting is new to me and fakes abound even in Kyrgyzstan.  My acquaintance brought award and his medal book today, but I haven't made the final plunge.  I have a few more details and will get more once I seal the deal in a few weeks.  Looks like he got his Red Star for wounds received in action in Jalalabad in 1985.  It is a 3,5xx,xxx range order with corresponding book.  I will post everything, plus the info once it is all in hand.

[Paul R]

I would love to see photos.   Please.  

[pmargulies]

Paul - don'tt have it yet, heading back CONUS for reserve duty for two weeks and then I will get it!

[Paul R]

That is cool.  I cant wait to see it!  Can you give us a taste of the citation?  What did he do to have it awarded?

Paul

[pmargulies]

Wounded in Jalalabad.  Conscripted private.

[Paul R]

Oh nice!  I wonder if this is one of the same folks from the movie,  "9th Company"

[NavyFCO]

Sounds good! Keep tabs on it!

[RedMaestro]

On 5/4/2016 at 11:56, pmargulies said:

Ferdinand and Dave - appreciate the responses.  Soviet collecting is new to me and fakes abound even in Kyrgyzstan.  My acquaintance brought award and his medal book today, but I haven't made the final plunge.  I have a few more details and will get more once I seal the deal in a few weeks.  Looks like he got his Red Star for wounds received in action in Jalalabad in 1985.  It is a 3,5xx,xxx range order with corresponding book.  I will post everything, plus the info once it is all in hand.

Have to interject with some skepticism here on the grounds of the serial number. The earliest observed Red Stars for Afghanistan were in the 3,6xx,xxx range, and the last observed issues from the 3,5xx,xxx range were made in 1968-9. The possibilities that come to mind are that the order booklet was faked (not an uncommon occurrence), or the award was a total anomaly.

Please do post photos – of the Red Star and doc plus the rest of the group – when you're able, hopefully before you've actually made the purchase.

 

 

[Paul R]

I can't wait to see how this ends up.  Paul may have something special.  

[pmargulies]

I haven't bought it yet and wanted some opinions since RedMaestro pointed out that there are no known 3,5xx,xxx range Red Stars for Afghanistan.  I am 90% certain this is 3,5xx,xxx and not 3,6xx,xxx, but I will be back in Bishkek in a few days and able to verify it then.  My friend, Oleg, obscured the number from the order and I scrubbed his name.  

 

Thoughts?

[NavyFCO]

I can't wait to see more!!!

[pmargulies]

Dave - anything scream out about this not being a legit Red Star?  I know this might be difficult without the number, but wonder what your thoughts are?

[NavyFCO]

From everything that I can see, it looks like I would expect it to...

[pmargulies]

Will post more once the transaction is complete.

[Ferdinand]

Looking at the visual characteristics of the Red Star, it seems to be a variant with a serial number in the 3.7 or even 3.8 million range. Plus, from a chronological point of view too a serial number in the 3.5 million range would be highly unusual, as RedMaestro stated, since all 3.5 mil Red Stars were awarded in the 1950s and 1960s, the latest having been awarded in 1967 according to my files.

Having said that, I think everything looks as it should. I have a virtually complete database of all Armed Forces decrees and I'm not aware of a March 28, 1978 decree, so that might suggest he served in a state security capacity.

[Paul R]

Is there a way to verify his citation before Paul spends that kind of money?

[Ferdinand]

There is, but not without spending a bit of money 

[pmargulies]

It is a 3,5xx,xxx Red Star.  I took another look at it today, and actually have the full number.  He is going to get me a copy of the citation and then I will decide on the deal.  Interestingly, went to another friend today and he said that Red Star awards for Afghanistan start at 3,7xx,xxx and end In the 3,8xx,xxx range.  He is a well known collector and has a very nice collection. When I asked Oleg about the discrepancy in the number, he said that his was a combat award presented to him in the field, whereas most other awards were made upon return.  Anyway, that is. Today's update on the Red Star.

[Rogi]

Very impressive story and group looking forward to observe this one

[pmargulies]

So, the story takes a twist in that I got the record card through Auke and it comes back to a Kyrgyz private.  It was a WW2 catch-up award issued in 1957.  I showed it to my 'pal' and he produced his own record card with all of his info.  He swears his is legit and can't explain it.  Mistakes do happen, so if his is legit and there was an error, then I am walking away from a great deal, but my gut says to run away and that is what I did.

very disappointed that this didn't work out and appreciate everyone sharing their knwowledge with me!