Lenin.

[Skrabichewski]

Hi All here is another puzzle. Screwback of Lenin 100% genuine with matching booklet, but the serial number was professionally changed. My opinion (supported by Paul M.) that in the early war days if the recipient was killed they just changed the number in the Mint and re-awarded it somebody else due to general shortage of awards. Any thoughts? See pics below:

[Nota Bene]

A couple of "Siver Head" Lenins for your viewing please. Extensive enamel restoration on both.

[d-riemer]

Alexei,
I have the Lenin exchange order #541 of the same type and variation you show. In the order booklet it lists #541.35846. I assume the five digits after the period refer to some exchange application. The order was initially issued on Sept. 1, 1933 and re-issued on Feb. 4, 1941, shortly before the German invasion.

[Nota Bene]

Dietrich,

Your booklet lists an Order of Lenin and a Medal for Distinguished Labor. The first number (541) refers to the Order, and the second to the Medal.

Alexei

[d-riemer]

Alexei,
thanks for the information.

The bookkeeping accuracy of the Soviet award system is amazing. A replacement order made with the same number as the original one required a hand carried special requisition. Lots of paperwork, lots of careful tracking required. Germany, a country famous/infamous for its bureaucratic precision, never achieved this degree of accuracy even on the highest awards.

[HuliganRS]

Hey Gang...

I have Order of Lenin Type5 Var1...
The Bible says the lowest observed number is: 186,898
Mine is number: 170,202

Is mine the lowest observed number then?
Has anyone seen numbers in that range?

Thanks,

Rusty.

[Ed Maier]

Rusty,

The serial number ranges in the observed catagory are very outdated now. They can only give you a general idea as to the range and being above or below the numbers in the range doesn't add value to an award.

Take care,
Ed

[HuliganRS]

Ed,

My concern is not the price! It's the fact that my order is 16,000 numbers below what the bible says....

Any input on that would be appreciated!

Rusty.

[Ed Maier]

Rusty,

You have no reason to be concerned. The number ranges were estimates, not facts written in stone. We have all seen numbers of almost any type and/or variation that are above and below those numbers in the book. That was the point of my earlier post. Its so common that it adds nothing to the price of the award, although some ebayers seem to think it does when they sell their items.

I hope this helps,
Ed

[HuliganRS]

Ed,

Thanks. That's all I was concerned with!

I'm not getting into eBay selling routines! ;)

Rusty.