Former Forum Competitions.

[Art]

Greetings new collectors of Soviet awards! We have a contest for you!

If you have just begun your Soviet awards collecting odyssey and are wondering what award you should start off with, we have the answer. A generous collector and fellow member of this forum has donated a Medal for the Defense of Stalingrad, Variation 1 (see picture of the actual award that will be given away below). All you have to do to have a chance at winning this fine specimen is reply to this message and ask to be included in the drawing. If you are one of the lurkers who have not registered...well, register! and reply here for your chance to win. This thread will be stuck at the top of the General Talk group until 6-10-2008. I will then close the thread and write all the names on slips of paper and select the winner through a random drawing. Contest Rules:

1. You must be a new collector. (We'll know)
2. You must pay shipping. (and insurance if you want that)

General information and awarding criteria for this medal:

"Established 22 December 1942. Awarded to all servicemen of the Soviet Army, Navy, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and civilians who took part in the defense of Stalingrad. The defense of Stalingrad was from 12 July 1942 until 19 November 1942. The 6th German Army began the offensive towards Stalingrad in 1942. Heroic defenders fought for more than 140 days under increasing enemy numbers. On 19 November 1942, the Soviet Army launched a counter-offensive, surrounding and defeating the entire 6th German Army. Stalingrad was awarded the Title of "Hero City" on 1 May 1945, and is one of only four "Hero Cities" in the USSR (the others being Sevastopol, Leningrad, and Odessa.) It is made of brass. Approximately 760,000 were issued."

GOOD LUCK!