Fake Hero of the Soviet Union Medals.

[Kjetil Kvist]

Good, bad?

Better to ask before bidding.

[USSR]

It doesn't look bad from the start but I wonder what the dings on the obverse are. Do you have the weight and measurements?

[Kjetil Kvist]

Supposedly it's: "Width: 30.61 mm Weight: 21.59 gram"

I'm very cautious about these medals, but really, really want one ;) Unfortunately all I've seen have been fakes.

[Henry Sakaida]

Before you can even think about the authenticy of this piece, you must consider the following:

1. The source of this HSU. Did you obtain it directly from the veteran?
Or did you buy it on eBay from a seller you've never done business with before?

2. Is there any accompanying award booklet?


We need to see the entire medal including the front and back of the suspension.
Just looking at 2 photos doesn't tell me much. We need the background of this medal and how you obtained it. There are too many fakes out there. Be careful!

[USSR]

Supposedly it's: "Width: 30.61 mm Weight: 21.59 gram"

I'm very cautious about these medals, but really, really want one ;) Unfortunately all I've seen have been fakes.

The measures seem to be a little off but within the margins I think. The stars suppose to be 30 mm in diameter and 21,5 gram without the suspension.

Henry Sakaida;299160]Before you can even think about the authenticy of this piece, you must consider the following:

1. The source of this HSU. Did you obtain it directly from the veteran?
Or did you buy it on eBay from a seller you've never done business with before?

2. Is there any accompanying award booklet?


We need to see the entire medal including the front and back of the suspension.
Just looking at 2 photos doesn't tell me much. We need the background of this medal and how you obtained it. There are too many fakes out there. Be careful!

True!

[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.

[Kjetil Kvist]

Thank you for sound advice.

I will rather wait until the right one turns up, from a dealer or collector of good standing.

Thank you again.

[USSR]

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.

[CtahhR]

One has to consider the falling value of the rouble, certainly adds motivation - the price of many Soviets awards are dropping significantly.

[Henry Sakaida]

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.

I tend to agree with you. When Russia became wealthy with petrol dollars, many people became instant multi millionaires and billionaires, and they began collecting old Soviet orders and medals. The supply dried up.

What's mostly on the market today are orders and medals that are already here, being sold off because the collector wants to downsize or wants to trade up, or needs to sell because they are getting out of the hobby and getting into something else, or needs to sell for medical care or getting a RV, boat, etc.