Died and gone to heaven

[medals73]

How things have changed. Several years back, these goodies (and other lesser goodies in the sacks behind) were on offer in UB. Sharp eyes will see some real gems.

Those were the days . . . .

[CtahhR]

The question comes to mind that how did all those items get into the same dealer's hands? Brains, connections or luck?

[medals73]

He stood early in line when the valuts of the State Bank opened up.

[CtahhR]

Sounds like Brains plus luck to me. I'm sure they still weren't "given away" first come first served.

[medals73]

OK, and this may be an individual value judgment, pick the three (3) rarest items here.

[medals73]

Sounds like Brains plus luck to me. I'm sure they still weren't "given away" first come first served.

There actually was a a menu/price list, which I have seen but of which I didn't get a copy (idiot!). It would make you weep, literally weep.

The "special" stuff was off-list and needed contacts.

[CtahhR]

I'll go 4 7 and 9.... What sort of prices did this dealer pay when he had been standing in line? A proper "public" price or a nice backhander?

[medals73]

The prices he paid were maybe 1/1000th of what he was asking. I picked my "three" (the structure of the quiz is not random) and his asking price was $185,000 (US). I actually slipped and used some of the more "artful" phrases I know in Mongolian (not nearly as "earthy" as my Punjabi -- which has nearly gotten me killed, but the point was made).

At the time, there was no market, there were no sources (since some early and really BAD stuff in both Mongolian and Russian editions). This flood created Mongolian phaleristics as we know it.

[CtahhR]

My english has nearly gotten me killed before never mind any other tongues! It's all a part of life.

[medals73]

Sadly, had I been in UB long enough (which I wasn't), I'm pretty certain I could have gotten him down to well under half of that asking price and gotten a fourth goodie thrown in.

And that, I'd have found a way to pay.

I fear these have now "gone North" to disappear forever.