Why Do You Collect Soviet Awards?

[LavricCat]

I've joined this forum few days ago and expected almost only Soviet People, collecting Soviet awards.
I do understand, why Soviets collecting it. It's history of State, we were born and raised. We could not collect it back in USSR: there was prison time for selling or buying Medals and sure, Orders!
But why Americans and people from others States are interesting in this?
First thing came to my mind: Soviet Awards(You have to admit it) made better, then most of others States Awards. Look... not talking about Anniversary Medals, Medals and Orders made of silver and gold. And made very good!
But You collecting documents too. And as I can see, You not only know a lot of Soviet History(I see it in Posts), but even can read and understand Russian Language!!!
So, why?
Thank You.

[Nack]

I started collecting the awards so I'd have stuff to put on the uniforms. Then I started picking up ORS, which snowballed into trying to get "just one" of each other reasonably-priced award. I also like the history with the awards and try to get only documented stuff.

[Laurent]

I have been studying Soviet history for 10years and I have always been "impressed" with these beautiful military uniforms AND decorations!

I started with a Red Star, then an ORB, then some medals, and then...

[Dave]

I collect Soviet awards because they can be researched and the "whole story" of who the person was and what they did for the awards can be known. The Soviet Union is the only nation that kept such records on it's veterans from the War years, and thus the possibility to research them. If we couldn't research the awards, I would have stopped collecting them years ago.

Dave

[Sergei]

I would second Dave's view (in addition to other factors such as the manufacture quality, the design, the rare variations that tend to excite collectors, etc) Picking up a researched Soviet award is akin to watching a TV shoot-and-kill thriller, only this was all for real, an individual history of an ordinary guy performing a heroic act in real life. Just my opinion, obviously.
Sergei

[Jeffrey Meffert]

I started collecting gasmasks, then helmets to go with the gasmasks, then uniforms to go with the helmets and then some medals to go with the uniforms and that's when I discovered both the beauty and history of soviet ODM. Now I've started to narrow down the uniforms to 1956 (when I was born) or earlier which includes the post revolution period and patriotic war where soldiers and civilians alike were expected to make sacrifices that Americans can't even imagine.
Even though they were on "the other side" (I was in the Air Force 1977-2006) I always respected the heritage and the people.
Still have over 120 gas masks, though....

[Greg Collins]

Awhile ago I found myself doing a fair amount of political artwork of the left persuassion. As I was looking for ideas/inspiration, I stumbled onto Soviet pins, badges and medals. From that point, I was hooked. I especially enjoy the labour items.

[ANZAC]

I agree to all views mentioned. Being an amatuer WWII historian and specialising in Waffen SS Combat formations, I had extreme interest in the Eastern Front battles.

Russian combat awards I found to be researchable and told a story I was unable to get from researching German award. The more you get the more you want.

The bits you get from research lead to whole stories of where the actions took place to a whole strategic picture. For me there is not other countries awards I enjoy more well except my own of course

Brendan

[EricFG]

Originally Posted by LavricCat

I've joined this forum few days ago and expected almost only Soviet People, collecting Soviet awards.
I do understand, why Soviets collecting it. It's history of State, we were born and raised. We could not collect it back in USSR: there was prison time for selling or buying Medals and sure, Orders!
But why Americans and people from others States are interesting in this?.

In the beginning the medals were cheap and pretty. Then I got 'The Red Book' and from there it was 'gotta get one of each'. After that it became a literal addiction (that I fight from time to time(with marginal success I might add)).

Originally Posted by LavricCat

First thing came to my mind: Soviet Awards(You have to admit it) made better, then most of others States Awards. Look... not talking about Anniversary Medals, Medals and Orders made of silver and gold. And made very good!?.

Well, initially I was into Third Reich material. Some very nice quality stuff there. But the prices took off. After that I went into Imperial German material. Talk about your "quality".... Indeed, much of the 19th and very early 20th century European OMDs can be of stunning quality (and price). Then 15+ years ago Soviet stuff started flooding the market and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.....

Originally Posted by LavricCat

But You collecting documents too. And as I can see, You not only know a lot of Soviet History(I see it in Posts), but even can read and understand Russian Language!!!?.

Well, about all I can decipher is "Spasibo" and "Tovarich". I can't even recognize the Russian word for 'beer'. And I'm very ashamed...

[Sergei]

Originally Posted by Greg Collins

Awhile ago I found myself doing a fair amount of political artwork of the left persuassion. As I was looking for ideas/inspiration, I stumbled onto Soviet pins, badges and medals. From that point, I was hooked. I especially enjoy the labour items.

Greg,
I am not of a left persuasion, but I think I have just found a soulmate. No-one else seems to share my view, but what do you think of the Reconstruction Medals (Donbass, Black Soils, Oil and Gas Industry, this kind of stuff). Your opinion as far as the design goes, are they good? (please say yes )
Sergei