Albania Undocumented Albanian Awards

[Bob]

Here we go: Master of Sports

[Bob]

Just got another one but with indication on reverse of the awarding to a volleyball team in '57

Raises all sorts of questions (not in the least: have to google on this volleyball team:))... official inscription or not? are uninscribed ones unawarded? etc.

Answers presumably will be coming at glacial speed

[Belaruski]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBANIA-ORDER-MASTER...ksid=p1638.m122

Not cheap though....

[Bob]

And now for something truly exceptional which gave me a Eureka feeling which I suspect we all have in those rare moments we finds something very extremely elusive.

Edited April 26, 2008 by Bob

[Bob]

This is supposedly the Republic Medal of Merit, 1st class

Not in my possession but hope to get it in the near future

What a beauty!

[Anatoly13]

Great award!!!

Congrats!

I feel gold.

[albania]

way to go!

that is the order of republic first class the one I have seen before. it is solid gold. that is indeed a finding and for the first time in gmic.

regards

[Anatoly13]

the order of republic first class???

Are you sure?

Seems as medal for laureat of State prize.

[Bob]

the order of republic first class???

Are you sure?

Seems as medal for laureat of State prize.

Indeed - reminiscent of Soviet (and other) state prize's... but without a number

[albania]

HELLO!

LET ME MAKE A CORRECTION. IN FACT IN OUR DAILY DISCUSSIONS WE CALL IT A ORDER BUT IN FACT IS THE PRIZE OF REPUBLIC FIRST CLASS.

REGARDS

[Bob]

Any insight into what it was awarded for - arts? science? etc?

[albania]

No. 179,179/1.

Name: Prize of REPUBLIC ? 1951. 178/1-181

Class I

Obverse: Republic Coat of Arms.

Reverse: ?FITONJ?SI / I ?MIMIT / T? REPUBLIK?S / I SHKALL?S / I-RE?

Metal : 179-Gold, 23.2 gr ( according to Decree.4614)

179/1- : Gilt silver (13gr AG + 0.6 gr Au), ( according to Decree.6347)

Dimension: D.26 mm

Ribbon: Red. Tied around a plaque made of the same material as the medal

Produced: Tirane

Rarity : R5.

Motivation : ?From government to citizens: For distinguished deeds and activities in the areas of science, inventions, literature and arts.?

Created 178- D.1333 dt.27/09/1951, D.4614 dt.12/12/1969.

178/1- Idem 178, D.6347 dt.29/06/1981.

Notes: The Prize of Republic was not awarded by the House of Congress but by Govenrment. See also M180,181.

this is part from the book we are preparing.

I hope this helps

[Bob]

Great

Sounds like it'll be an exhaustively detailed book on Albanian awards with lots of new info in it - exactly what all Albania enthusiasts will love!

[Anatoly13]

This is better than "order of respublic"

Elvis,another question to you:

You wrote Produced: Tirane,but it seems Soviet made medal.

I never see this quality in albanian made awards...

[Bob]

This is better than "order of respublic"

Elvis,another question to you:

You wrote Produced: Tirane,but it seems Soviet made medal.

I never see this quality in albanian made awards...

Same thought here. If there's a mint in Tirana, I'd love to visit it (if still existing) next time I visit Albania - which should be this summer.

[Eric Schena]

I saw that decoration on a London dealer's website. Was wondering what that was.

Elvis, I am excited to hear about your book! Do you have any details about your book that you can share?

[albania]

hello!

one collector friend of mine of albanian medals started this initiative back 3 years ago. so the book is not mine but I have played a role with helping this guy in adding more information and translating the book into english (maybe some of you guys would like to check it before we publish) I will ask my friend . we are waiting for funds to get it published. it costs 6000 euros to produce. it includes also awards from 1914 - 1945. I am sure your expertise is most welcome, besides we refered to your book Eric many times. we see what comes out. we are hoping to release the book and at the same time hold an exhibition (which again costs money) in Tirana. and to make it relevant to the topic that is an extraordinary finding Bob.

[Eric Schena]

hello!

one collector friend of mine of albanian medals started this initiative back 3 years ago. so the book is not mine but I have played a role with helping this guy in adding more information and translating the book into english (maybe some of you guys would like to check it before we publish) I will ask my friend . we are waiting for funds to get it published. it costs 6000 euros to produce. it includes also awards from 1914 - 1945. I am sure your expertise is most welcome, besides we refered to your book Eric many times. we see what comes out. we are hoping to release the book and at the same time hold an exhibition (which again costs money) in Tirana. and to make it relevant to the topic that is an extraordinary finding Bob.

Hi Elvis:

Let me know in whatever way I can help you with this effort (photos, proofreading the English, whatever). I would love to help this project out as much as I can!

Cheers,

Eric

[nesredep]

Hello!

Congratulation,nice badge.

All the best

Nesredep

[Anatoly13]

Hi Elvis:

Let me know in whatever way I can help you with this effort (photos, proofreading the English, whatever). I would love to help this project out as much as I can!

Cheers,

Eric

+ 1

[Bob]

+2

Unfortunately (or: fortunately?) Albanian awards hasn't been much of a hit yet with the rest of the collecting community but the few enthusiasts are sure to want to help!

[Bob]

Some better scans. This is a heavy little gold award!

Still looks Soviet to me!

[Lapa]

...Still looks Soviet to me!

Bob,

Handywork definitely has a Mondvor flavor

Marc

[Bob]

Here another interesting one... supposedly Albanian yet Soviet made ORDER FOR PARTISAN MARCH IN 1947

[Anatoly13]

I know now who outbid me!