How To Store And Display Awards.

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by lenin501

Thanks Eric

Yes, I do. Actually I like awards from all Warsaw pact countries but so far I only have Soviet, Polish, Romanian and DDR medals.

That's a great start. Try Bulgarian awards before they get too pricey. For the most part you can get complete sets (presentation box, award and documents) for a reasonable price - unless you are trying to collect KDS (the state security service created by the KGB) which are still being sold at ridiculous prices.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Bulgaria produced one of the coolest looking "Brothers in Arms" type medals. There is one just in a gold plating look and a second with the Warsaw Pact flags in color. I have both, but not the time right now to photograph and post them - yet.

Originally Posted by Sergei

Just one possibility, I guess. Had to dismantle this one but took a final picture. Even though it's a cheap MDF (or some such) frame the medals did not tarnish excessively after three years - that was my greatest fear.
Sergei

If the case you use is even remotely airtight, then so long as you hang it where it never gets direct sunlight, the awards should not age/tarnish more than you actually want them to.

Just my opinion.

Phillip

[CtahhR]

The Bulgarian Jubilee Medal "20th Anniversary Of The Organs Of The Committee For State Security" will never be anything but highly priced. There are 4 KDS Medals in total (3 long service 1 commemorative) but the 20th Anniversary Medal is basically the "Holy Grail" of PRB Medals. Many Bulgarian medals can be picked up for under a dollar any day of the week but not this one! I have yet to see one sell for under $320 and not yet seen the document. Just like most nations there is always one obscure item that hinders the completion of a set. No idea on mintage figures but as the Mint has also sold off its collection of unissued KDS medals what you see on the market is what you get.

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

The Bulgarian Jubilee Medal "20th Anniversary Of The Organs Of The Committee For State Security" will never be anything but highly priced. There are 4 KDS Medals in total (3 long service 1 commemorative) but the 20th Anniversary Medal is basically the "Holy Grail" of PRB Medals. Many Bulgarian medals can be picked up for under a dollar any day of the week but not this one! I have yet to see one sell for under $320 and not yet seen the document. Just like most nations there is always one obscure item that hinders the completion of a set. No idea on mintage figures but as the Mint has also sold off its collection of unissued KDS medals what you see on the market is what you get.

I was actually talking about the only two KDS honored service badges that I know of (the older one was far from cheap and the newer - sword on the left of center with what looks like a "cement pond" and that one was also over $100 years ago and the ones I've seen recently are about double that) and I also have the set of long service medals.

If you know of somewhere that I could see the "holy grail" medal I would really appreciate it.

[CtahhR]

I know which badge you mean it looks rather flat and sterile. I've not seen one come onto the market for some time Even the later "MVR" ones don't turn up that often these days either. The trio of long service medals are almost always on offer in singles and I have seen a few of them infrequently sell for under $20.

A "good" sign that KDS items have been issued and worn is them having a coat of brown gunk over them that really stinks. The KDS must have put old bits of rubber into their cigarettes by the smell of it. Worst of all it really takes some washing before it comes off the metal and enamel. Stress of the job getting to them maybe?

[shotgun01]

all my items were boxed away but i thought i get them out and take some quick photos.

at the moment i use 2 basic ikea display cases (nearly had some accidents in the past where items have fallen down from display - luckily no broken items yet ) but im thinking about displaying my medals in frames in the future.


nothing "rare" in my collection but that is probably because i collect a little bit of everything. (british/german/soviet)


i have more medals & militaria items boxed away

[travel-north]

Originally Posted by deValcourt

That's a great start. Try Bulgarian awards before they get too pricey. For the most part you can get complete sets (presentation box, award and documents) for a reasonable price - unless you are trying to collect KDS (the state security service created by the KGB) which are still being sold at ridiculous prices.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Bulgaria produced one of the coolest looking "Brothers in Arms" type medals. There is one just in a gold plating look and a second with the Warsaw Pact flags in color. I have both, but not the time right now to photograph and post them - yet.

I don't have a good opinion about Bulgarian awards. They all look fake to me. But I'm strictly Soviet awards collector so please forgive me for my opinion

[EricFG]

An extremely nice collection you have there!!!! Lotsa good stuff, EKs rule!!!!!. I'm a fan of German TR and Imperial (as well as DDR and BRD) as well as GB medals.
PS. take a second look at Bulgarian stuff.

[CtahhR]

All the Bulgarian stuff is fake.....


Don't go buying it up..... I'll make sure the items leave the market sooner or later.....

Oh all the Soviet stuff is considerably more fake too.....

[Lapa]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

...Oh all the Soviet stuff is considerably more fake too.....

...and getting more so by the minute

[travel-north]

Obviously, soviet awards are some of the most faked in the world. What I mean about Bulgarian awards is that they don't look serious to me and knowing the corruption level in Bulgaria I wouldn't be surprised if many were produced by the mints for collectors like Moscow mint did in 1993.
But please don't take my opinion too seriously because as a purely soviet collector I naturally tend to treat other awards as inferior...