Honorary Title "Hero Of The German Democratic Republic".

[new world]

Fellows,

Such rare find - East German "Held der DDR" medal is currently for sale on Ebay by a German dealer!

Buy-it-now price is EURO 9,500, equal to $11,604.25 USD.

Medal is made of 333m content gold, and contains 8 real 0.1 diamonds.

William

[Dave]

The price seems a bit steep to me... However, how many were awarded? Are they serial numbered?

--Dave

[Taz]

The price seems a bit steep to me... However, how many were awarded? Are they serial numbered?

--Dave

Dave,
The award was established on 28. October 1975.
The first "Held der DDR" was National defence Minister of the GDR Armeegeneral Heinz Hoffmann who recieved his award to honour his 75 Birthday.
Since 1978 the awardee also recived the Karl-Marx-Order and a monetary award of DM 25,000.
Apart from Heinz Hoffmann there were only six other people who recieved Awards of the Title "Held der DDR"

The Order "Held der DDR" was awarded to:

Heinz Hoffmann 28. - November 1975 & 28. November 1980
Friedrich Dickel - 01. December 1975
Erich Mielke - 01. December 1975 & 28. December 1983
Leonid Iljitsch Breschnew - 13. December 1976
Sigmund Jähn - 21. September 1978
Waleri Bykowski - 21. September 1978
Willi Stoph - 09. July 1984.

The order has an award number and after the Death of the recipiant had to be returned to the state.

Eddie.

Here is Sigmund Jähn wearing his HSU and "Held der DDR"

[Christophe]

Here are Erich Mielke two "Hero of the DDR" stars. They will be auctioned in September 2004, in Hamburg, as part of a major auction dedicated to Erich Mielke.

Erich Mielke has been awarded these two stars on 1st December 1975 and 28 December 1983.

Ch.

[Taz]

Here is the gilted version of this award. compaired to the above awards with diamonds it looks rather plain. Nevertheless an expensive award.

Eddie.

[Ingsoc]

The Order "Held der DDR" was awarded to:

Heinz Hoffmann 28. - November 1975 & 28. November 1980
Friedrich Dickel - 01. December 1975
Erich Mielke - 01. December 1975 & 28. December 1983
Leonid Iljitsch Breschnew - 13. December 1976
Sigmund Jähn - 21. September 1978
Waleri Bykowski - 21. September 1978
Willi Stoph - 09. July 1984.

Horst Materna also won this award.

[Taz]

In 1976 Horst Materna was awarded the Held der Arbeit (Hero of Labour) not the Hero of the GDR. In the photo he is wearing the Hero of labour.
Only 5 GDR nationals were ever awarded the Hero of the GDR. 7 recipients in total

regards Eddie

[Nota Bene]

With only seven recipients it kinda makes me wonder why would they have two variations of the medal. Dress uniform and every day wear?

Alexei

[Taz]

Alexei,
That seems the most plausible explanation. Although thats 7 GDR Nationals, Brezhnev and Bykowski also recieved the titel.

Eddie

[charlet]

Here is the gilted version of this award. compaired to the above awards with diamonds it looks rather plain. Nevertheless an expensive award.

Eddie.

With only seven recipients it kinda makes me wonder why would they have two variations of the medal. Dress uniform and every day wear?

Alexei

hello gentlemen, there was two variations of the hero gold star: the first, without zyrcons, and the second, more pleasant to see. All were gold-made.
L.I.Brejenv was the 4th to receive the title and was granted the 1st brillant-version.
The first version has been sold recently , coming from Wili Stoph legacy.
All bearers had automatically wearer-copies in bronze and simili-brillants.

Please see Frank Bartel's Spezialkatalog, p79, my german is not so good ;)