Bulgarian Awards Rarity And Value.

[CtahhR]

After years of collecting and observing Bulgarian awards I have collected a vast array of knowledge on the subject. The People's Republic Of Bulgaria's awards are very often seen as "second place" to Soviet awards and many collectors priced out of the Soviet award market switch to Bulgarian awards. The price of Bulgarian awards peaked just prior to the energy crisis that hit the country after a dispute with Russia. Many of the higher end awards' values are inflated by metal content, although some are still not valued beyond their metal content. During and after the energy crisis in Bulgaria the prices of Bulgarian awards have dropped and it is unlikely they will be recovering in the near future. Often "warehouses" of unawarded decorations come onto the market from time to time and when they do a decoration that was very rarely awarded can turn up on the market in very large numbers and in perfect condition. As during the history of the PRB there were no combative conflicts involving the country in a combative role nearly all PRB awards are commemorative, or for merits/service with the exception of Medals "International Brigade Spain 1936-1939", "For Participation In The September Uprising 1923" and "For Participation In The Anti-Fascist Struggle", although the latter Medal was awarded for merit in the later years of the regime.

Once again I will use the main site's rarity guide and the price given is for "naked" undocumented awards.

A-Abundant, readily available, often in wholesale quantities.
C-Common, always available. Occasionally in quantity.
R1-Usually available without a long delay. Difficult to find in quantity.
R2-Scarce to rare, less seldom available.
R3-Rare. Difficult to find.
R4-Very rare. Demand outstrips supply, and specimens, when
available are often eagerly sought.
R5-Extremely rare and seldom available. Collector may have to
search for a few years to locate one.
R6-Of the highest rarity. Very difficult to obtain.
R7-Almost never available. Most collectors will not have a chance to acquire these pieces.
R*-FORGET ABOUT IT