Order "Kiril And Metodij".

[Taz]

This award is the successor of the one proclaimed on May, 18th or 31st, 1909 in honour of the independence of Bulgaria. It was called the Order of the Sacred Cyril and Methodius.
The People's Republic of Bulgarian award was authorized on December, 13th, 1950 in three classes.
It was awarded to both Bulgarian and foreign citizens and organizations for merit in the fields of science, culture and development.
The first person to recive this award was Professor N.Obreshkov on May, 22nd, 1951.

The designer of the project was P.Dojchinov, and the engraver O.Odabashjan.

It was made in the Bulgarian State mint.

Here is the award 1st Class with the award book. The reverse has a stamped S/N.

The Award has the form of a round medal 36mm in diameter.
On the avers are represented the sacred St. Cyril and St. Methodius , Cyril holds the book, and Methodius the opened parchment with the four first letters of the alphabet. In the bottom part of the Order there is a banner. And at the top a small star.
The 1st class is Gilded with Red enamel. The 2nd Class silver with Blue enamel and the 3rd Class silver with White enamel.

Eddie.

[dannybou]

Received a set of this Order this morning.

[DutchBoy]

Hi Dannybou,

I also own a set of these. What do you think of the quality of these pieces? I know they're not being faked, but if this is what the originals are like...

[dannybou]

I know what you mean. Of all the Bulgarian and Soviet Orders that I own, these are the least........ nice to look at. They are 36mm in diameter but find that they were made cheaply. Compared to the other Orders, like a 9 Sept 44 Order, they are in the low end of the look and feel category.

[new world]

Originally Posted by dannybou

I know what you mean. Of all the Bulgarian and Soviet Orders that I own, these are the least........ nice to look at. They are 36mm in diameter but find that they were made cheaply. Compared to the other Orders, like a 9 Sept 44 Order, they are in the low end of the look and feel category.

You should look at the early emission pieces - those C & M are of much higher quality.

William

[DutchBoy]

Dannybou, thanks, so I'm not the only one.

New World: I'll try to get some of the older issued ones then...I was in danger of being put off buying any more Bulgarian stuff (although the 9 sept ones I own are nice). Thanks!

[HuliganRS]

Let's shine some light into this topic.

It appears that there are 3 types of these orders:

1st type with S/N on large suspension
2nd type without S/N on large suspension
3rd type without S/N on small suspension

Since I don't have the 2nd type all I can do for now is compare the 1st and 3rd type orders.

Here are the basic stats for the 3rd class:

1st type: Weight: 27.2g Width:35.5mm Rim Hight: 2.7mm
3rd type: Weight: 22.1g Width:36.3mm Rim Hight: 2.0mm

Here are the pictures for comparison:

[dannybou]

Rusty are the 1st types made in the same manner as the 3rd? I find that they are not very esthetic and cheaply made.

[HuliganRS]

1st type is made from some heavy metal. I don't think it's silver
3rd type is some light alloy.

Hope it helps.

Rusty.

[CtahhR]

Order "Kiril And Metodij" 1st Class Type 1 #35. Most likely awarded in late December 1950/early January 1951.