Fake Hero of the Soviet Union Medals.

[USSR]

Originally Posted by Henry Sakaida

If you do not know the person who is selling you the medal, walk away.
If it turns out to be a fake, you can never get your money back. Don't worry, there are plenty of suckers out there who are willing to take a chance in the hope that it is real.

Is it being sold on eBay? If so, were is it from ? The former Baltic republics which are well known for producing good and bad quality fakes? Ukraine?
Russia? And please stop to think. It is illegal to export such items. So are you willing to pay big money and not receive it because it was "confiscated" by their customs? Did the seller say that he will refund your money if it is confiscated by his customs? And what happens if he ships you the registered packet, and you receive a HSU copy or nothing at all? He can claim that you signed for it and received it, and now you are making false accusations that he just shipped you a copy.

If you really want a legitimate HSU, but from a reputable dealer like Igor M.
His entire business depends upon honesty. Once word gets to that he has sold a fake, his business is finished. Kaput! He makes damn sure that he doesn't buy a fake to resell. Very bad for business.

Or buy from a collector who has a reputation for honesty. Go attend collector shows and talk to dealers and collectors. Educate yourself. And expect to pay anywhere from $7000+ for a real HSU. Back in the mid 1990s, they were plentiful and reasonably priced. Not today. Hero of Socialist Labor is reasonably priced and available, but everyone wants combat HSUs.

If you are under pressure to buy, I would pass. Don't take a chance. If you want a sure thing, go buy from a trusted dealer with a money back guarantee.

There are quite a few people on this website who can advise you.

I don't think Russians are selling any original Soviet items these days on EBay. Not only because it is illegal to export but also because they are more expensive in the the former Soviet Union than in the US.