Gold Star "Hero Of The People's Republic Of Bulgaria".

[DutchBoy]

Well, I weighed the piece and it comes out at 13.0 grams without suspension, and 14.9 grams with suspension. So it definitely doesn't seem to be an official wearers copy (at 8g). It is 2 grams less than the 15g D-Riemer mentions.

So it seems it must at least contain some gold (as gold is over 40% heavier than silver for the same volume and even heavier than any base metal).

Any thoughts now?

[redmedals]

I have a little more info to shed on this I waited to double check my information with sources in Bulgaria in essence it is this:
As it goes to the NRB (PRB) Hero star, its gold content is 14 K. As far as I know and have seen such stars they are always mint marked. And as I mentionned before the wearer's pieces officially issued by the mint are always marked with an R on the reverse.
Heres a little info for the Labor star too.

The gold content of the Socialist Labor Hero star is same 14K. This title had 2 basic emissions (issues):
1- with a rimmed reverse and gold mark - this was the initial, old emission (issue)
2- without rimmed reverse - this emission has three variants:
* with a gold mark of the Bulgarian mint. This variant was issued shortly
after the 1st emission. (issued till the end of '70s)
* without any marks (late 70s - '80s)
* with a mark of a Bulgarian Mint's master goldsmith. Typically, the mark is a number,
something like: "0", "1", "2", etc. (after 1980)
This mark can be discerned only if one looks really carefully at the award
in profile. It is usually placed on one of the arms of the star.
At the end of communism the Party came to the conclusion that the presence
of such a gold mark was a sign of the capitalistic zeal for
gold. Thus, the gold decorations started to bear the stamp of the master goldsmith
that made the award. Moreover, this was also an excellent way to keep an eye on
the quantity of awards produced by every master.
I am puzzled by the lack of any marks on the reverse of your star and must differ to you having a jeweller test the gold.
Ron

[DutchBoy]

So I took the piece to a jeweller in downtown Toronto, and he confirms that it IS solid gold. It is not gold plated base metal or silver. He estimates the gold content at around 10K.

So to wrap up:

13.0 grams in weight without suspension (14.9 grams with the suspension). Weight difference of 2g with other hero stars (of around 15g) could be due to 10K as opposed to 14K;

Solid ca. 10K gold;

Large ring;

Highly polished appearance front and back;

No mint marks or stamps of any kind;

Around 32 mm from star tip to star tip;

No signs at all that item is cast;

No signs of wear at all (unissued stock?);

Suspension probably brass-plated aluminum (according to jeweller);

Correct case.

In my opinion, if it is a fake, then it's really well done (maybe except the ring).

:confused:

So the conclusion is that this piece is a fake, although a really well-done one. It is underweight by 2 grams, only 10K gold instead of 14K, and has no gold stamps at all. So buyers beware!!

Thanks Ron for all the info!

[Nota Bene]

Thought I'd share this one with you.

Alexei

[Esteban_cool]

NICE! Is it yours?

[charlet]

hello Alexei, it is me or there're 2 mint marks? one on the medal loop, another on reverse, on one of the star arms?

[Nota Bene]

Esteban,

It's mine, one of the 58 ever awarded! I am not selling it until I learn about it everything there is to learn. Besides I might also get some more items belonging to the same person.

There is only one mint mark.

The coolest Bulgarian set I've ever seen!

Alexei

[Nack]

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?..." :)

[Esteban_cool]

I wonder the same as you, Nack.

Congratulations for your nice adquisition, Alexei! :thumbsup You really know how to get rocking stuff!

[new world]

Originally Posted by Nota Bene

The coolest Bulgarian set I've ever seen!

Alexei

Alexei,

does the set come with award document?

William