Medal "For Excellent Service".

[HuliganRS]

This is a Destinguished Service Medal.

[Taz]

The medal For "excellent service" was founded on December, 24th, 1980.
On the Obverse is the inscription Democratic Republic Afghanistan "For excellent service".
Made of gilded brass. It is similar in design to Soviet Medal for Combat Service (aka Medal for Military Merit) 32mm wide
Awarded to servicemen for actions that involved severe life-threatening risk and contributed to success of combat operations.

Eddie

[medals73]

As you might guess, the rough PDRA equivalent to the Soviet Medal of Combat Service.

[CtahhR]

Here is another example. If these were a direct parallel to the Soviet Medal "For Combat Merits" their rarity in comparison to the Medal "For Courage" is testament to the fact that there were less roles in which a service person's life was not in danger.

[Felix]

This one in mint condition came from Russia. But I don't know, I have bad feeling about it, I find the metal too much "yellow".

[charlet]

It is known to be faked, but there are not much precise and definitive hints to detect them!

[CtahhR]

Unfortunately it seems to be a fake Type 2. There are two types (different script) and they can both be found for $15-$25.

Most of the fake Medals, mainly made in Russia, are made to be sold to veterans of Afghanistan, with fake Documents, so they can award themselves. The fake Documents are very easy to tell, many of the Medals are pretty easy to tell too (The fake Medals "For Courage" can be appalling).

[Felix]

Sad, but I'm not very surprised. The quality is very good but when you have some experience with soviet award, you know that something isn't right.

Thanks

[Felix]

This one seems to be more legit