With Op. Herrick 20A all over and Op. Herrick 20B cancelled, the lack of men "on the ground" has caused some "at the source" vendors that I have been "romancing" for some time to get quite needy for a customer. Offers come in daily but there are now just as many fake Afghan items being offered as real. Although the fake items are usually so very obvious (cast etc.). I have one source that offers only real items and another source that offers just as many fakes as real items and I have to pick them on what I want. The sellers treat most of the items the same and ask as much for fakes as the real bits. I'm not buying up the fakes so the balance will be tipping more to fakes than real by the time I've finished. Prices are good and are in fact dropping with the greater need for customers with less westerners lingering around in person.
This next Medal may be a bit tired (as the ring has sheered) but it cost under £18 and is certainly not one of the "lordship" style fakes that I have seen sell for up to and over $75.
The text on the front translates to something along the lines of "A Medal That Is For Commemoration". Sort of stating that the recipient's bravery won't be forgotten rather than the title of the award (which are usually found on the reverse).
This Variation is the Short Horizon Variation. The previous two are Long Horizon Variations. Notice the right mountain peak is also narrower.
Here is another Long Horizon. This has seen a bit more action. It has been struck by something on the front (possibly shrapnel) and been though some other abuse. Not a bad price though for under £6/$10.
The first 2 Medals in this thread are "Short Horizons" or what I'll now refer to as Variation 2 and Tommy's got a Variation 1 like this one (and the fake also has the long horizon)
Thanks, I do like the detail and the sandblasted reverse...what I don't like is the suspension ring, which is "doubled" on the obverse. Not sure I've seen another Soviet mint product with that kind of ring.. Hopefully just paranoia of course. :)
Just got back a few days ago. Sadly there is not much left at the local bazaars for sale to to the collectors. I think we have brought them all. All vendors are telling me, "Kabul finished."
Saw less than a dozen Afghan medals/orders for sale. Most are in fair to poor condition and way way expensive. I managed to get a vendor to bring in another Order of the Saur Revolution. That was about it.
Most vendors are now selling scarves, locally made handcrafts, gem stones, rugs, lapis and cheap stuff from China.
"For only $24 you can get this unlimited in number, fresh off the production line piece of metal that somewhat looks like a Medal. Buy now, so we can take your money all the quicker!".
If you stumble across this item remember - all this seller's items are just as "fresh off the production line".
