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04-25-2008, 03:34 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-25-2008, 03:37 AM by Stepanovich.)
Folks,
In case no one else has noticed, an hour before the bidding for the HSU/OoL was set to close, it apparently has been pulled. My guess is that Ebay received an avalanche of mail regarding its' authenticity and took action.
Steve
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The future looks bleak for collectors wishing to get their hands on a real HSU or other high end awards for 2 reasons: The price of gold has gone through the roof and there are none being smuggled out of Russia and the former republics.
Russia is awash in petro rubles and there is a new class of super rich in Moscow. Go to google and type in "Millionaire Fair Moscow." I visited the Hermitage in St. Petersburg a few years ago. While most people are impressed with the fine arts and opulence of the royals and the rich back then, I thought: "No wonder the commoners revoluted!!!" I have friends in Russia who read about the Millionaires Fair in Moscow and they were disgusted!!!
These new rich have rubles to burn, and many are rediscovering Soviet war history through orders and medals. There is an insatiable demand which cannot be met. When demand exceeds supplies, unscrupulous people will meet the demands by selling fakes. The HSU #135 and the Lenin Order were pretty crude examples, but I assure you, great fakes will start making their appearance if not already! Blank order booklets are available today...last year, I saw some being sold on ebay! They were snapped up!
The dealers here are protective of their reputation and they will not knowingly buy a fake. If they can't sell it, they eat it. Unless Russia has a severe economic downturn, you will not see high end medals coming in again. The good ole days of the 1990s when you could pick up a real HSU for $1800 - 2000 and a Type 1 for $5000 are gone.
The collectors who get in on the ground floor are lucky! I think the next hot collectors market will be North Korean Orders and Medals. They are under appreciated!
I no longer collect medals. My big thrill now is to search ebay, looking for high end Soviet Orders and medals and seeing if I spot the fakes like some of you have done!
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Guess what guys, the listing has been removed and is no longer available.
Hopefully nobody bought it outside of the auction!
Alanirvine
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Looks like it has been pulled by eBay...
Alexei
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This great set is now for sale on the russian-antique website....makes you think what else they're selling :rolleyes:
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Matthijs,
It has been there for some time already, even when the auction was going.
Marc
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I am speechless!!! But nothing surprises me anymore.
