Information on Mongolian orders and Medals

[Urnuh]

During my work on my book "The Order and Medals of the Mongolian People's Republic: 1924-1992", I came across many interesting documents (kept at the Mongolian archives) on the discussions and communication between the Mongolian leadership in Ulaanbaatar and Mongolian Ambassador J. Sambuu in Moscow regarding the design, quality and quantity of the Mongolian orders and medals. Some have been included in the book some have not. The leaders of that time paid close attention to every detail of the order and medal to be produced. As a results, we see that Mongolian orders and medals (and some badges) boast high quality in terms of design and manufacture.

Below is the copy of a telegram sent to the Mongolian Embassy in Moscow early 1941 from the Presidium of the State Small Khural of the Mongolian People's Republic. The telegram carries the instructions on the design of the new (1940 type) orders and medals being manufactured at the Moscow Mint. See below the translation of the text from Russian into English.

"URGENT.To Embassy of Mongolia in Moscow. Attn: Sambuu. In response to your telegram #119: the diameters of the Honorary Medal of Combat and Honorary Medal of Labor should be 36 mm. The proposed diameter of the medals, which is 32 mm, is small considering the presence of the ornament. We agree with your suggestion to goldplate the ornament on the red enameled circle of the medals. Fourth, you should make sure that the horseman has a sheathe for the saber. Fifth, the bust of Sukhbaatar on the Badge of the Hero should be made of platinum but it should be no more than 20 mm. You should make sure that the bust is in half -turned position not in profile. Sixth, the shield to denote the subsequent award numbers on the obverse of the Order of the Combat Red Banner should be filled with a blue enamel. Signed by President Bumtsend. SN #24. Seal of the Presidium of the State Small Khural of the Mongolian People's Republic".

The read stamp is from the National Central Archives of Mongolia "SN 3831. National Central Archives: the copy is genuine. Clerk signature. date".