Red Star.

[skydvr8029]

At the risk of looking like I don't understand, how is the determination made that a star is MZPP minted? Are there certain markings or characteristics? Cheers

[jefflgarrison]

A star is classified as such if it falls within two different ranges of numbers.

Range 1: 1.790.000 - 1.950.000
Range 2: 2.050.000 - 2.500.000

The second range technically ends at 2.293.636 since we only know, currently, of one exiting star with a number above 2.293.000 and below 2.500.000.

Besides a star being in that range, it is also classified by the style of handwritting used when numbering the star. If you will go back and look at all the photos in this thread you will see that it is a rather "sloppy" style.

While they hold no special value above other stars, as such, they are interesting for such handwritting.

Unfortunately, dealers see such interest in these stars as a reason to raise their prices. Others laud them as being VERY RARE and hard to find. My fear is that as prices for these stars "RARE" stars start to rise, we might start to see fake "MzPP" stars making their way to the market.

As a note, one dealer, possibly a forum member, has a "Buy Now" star for sale on eB?y for $150.00 and states up front it is an MzPP star. Hey, dreaming is free.

ok, so after posting the above message, I went and looked at the star I mentioned as being for $150.

I have my doubts about whether is should be classied as a true MzPP star or not.

It doesn't have the classic sloppy handwritting but instead has what seems to be more like the typical writing from standard Moscow Mint.

What is the opinion of others?

[lewstherin]

Hi,

excuse me for asking so many questions... but I've just started collecting soviet awards and yesterday I discovered this forum and it's so great I cannot help posting :o

Well, adding to the red star I posted yesterday, I also have the opportunity to buy this one #3089344. What do you think about it? Which one is more worth buying?

Thanks !!
Javier

[Lapa]

Javier,

That second star is also authentic. Personally, I'd chose the first one (wartime, and MZPP).

Marc

[jefflgarrison]

Javier, I would go for the other one as well. It seems to be according to Alex S. new variation scheme a Type 6, variation 11.1

What makes it different, from what I can see of the photo, is that the edges on the back of the star seem to curve in, giving each arm a concave feel. These are a bit harder to find since only about 270,000 were produced with this "defect".

[Nota Bene]

Gentlemen,

No RSs were produced in this s/n range.

Alexei

[desantnik]

Gentlemen,

No RSs were produced in this s/n range.

Alexei

Alexei, what are the unused serial # spreads for RSs ?

[EricFG]

Yeah, this is kinda big.
What's the deal A? Did the mint just not produce these numbers? That sounds kind of strange.
Like I said earlier I found 5 numbers in this range on the Filer website. I don't know if they are 'I have this award and am seeking paperwork' or 'I have this booklet and am seeking this award'.
I might be wrong, and I am gonna go re-check what I think I saw, but I'd be really surprised if the Soviet system just "spaced" that many numbers.

[Lapa]

Eric,

The authorities assigned serial number ranges to various mints. In this case, most likely operations were cancelled before MZPP produced its full quota.

Marc

[jefflgarrison]

Ok, so if this is the case, can we assume that Marshal Yakubovskii's medal was hand numbered personally?

Has anyone seen this star? Does Paul know who is currently in posession of this star? If so, can a scan of the back of the star be provided?

Me starting to think that this star has a girlfriend named: Miss Read or Miss Written.