05-16-2002, 04:54 PM
Hi Folks
I have to admit I agree with Ed on Russian prices. I have been told that in the early ninties, you could get almost any Russian medal fairly cheaply as they needed the dollars.
The mid Ninties where still quite good, but towards the 2000 mark thing started to change.
A.I believe its because of the internet. They know the market value and the demand.
B. Because there is wealth in Russia and the East ( to a small minority).
The first Medal I bought was an Order of Lenin, in Riga in 95, it took some time to get hold of because the middle man I had, complained to me they are all in America!
Certainly if you have contacts in Russia who can search for you, you have a far better chance of a fair price.
I believe there is a demand in Russia for medals and they have there own collectors associations.
A lot of medals and badges do go west, but I think they are being sold in Russia and the East for big bucks (maybe less than America, but I see prices now that are often comparable to Dealership sites).
I have been offered orders etc that would be cheaper to buy from the internet.
There are not to many quality sites if you think about it and I do not see a great turn around of stock. I see far less OPW for sale for example.
I am also seeing high quality fakes made of the correct materials and Wts. They do sell for quite high prices. One of the dealers I know says he is getting scared himself because he can't tell the difference!
For sure if you live here, you have the time to find some decent gear for good prices but they are getting far and few.
That actually is what is steering me towards Badges.
I don't think the full impact will be known for between 3-5 years.
Middlemen who bring back orders etc from Russia are doing so at risk and they complain about the prices there, and yet again the fakes that are making their job even harder, as they are getting caught out as well.
I believe interest is growing for these medals/orders. Its a double edge sword. Good for the medals you have but not for the ones you wish to buy.
Just think about the German Awards.
Just a few thoughts.
Chris...PS the irony is, in a few years if you want to sell your collection, you may be better off selling them in Russia...???
I have to admit I agree with Ed on Russian prices. I have been told that in the early ninties, you could get almost any Russian medal fairly cheaply as they needed the dollars.
The mid Ninties where still quite good, but towards the 2000 mark thing started to change.
A.I believe its because of the internet. They know the market value and the demand.
B. Because there is wealth in Russia and the East ( to a small minority).
The first Medal I bought was an Order of Lenin, in Riga in 95, it took some time to get hold of because the middle man I had, complained to me they are all in America!
Certainly if you have contacts in Russia who can search for you, you have a far better chance of a fair price.
I believe there is a demand in Russia for medals and they have there own collectors associations.
A lot of medals and badges do go west, but I think they are being sold in Russia and the East for big bucks (maybe less than America, but I see prices now that are often comparable to Dealership sites).
I have been offered orders etc that would be cheaper to buy from the internet.
There are not to many quality sites if you think about it and I do not see a great turn around of stock. I see far less OPW for sale for example.
I am also seeing high quality fakes made of the correct materials and Wts. They do sell for quite high prices. One of the dealers I know says he is getting scared himself because he can't tell the difference!
For sure if you live here, you have the time to find some decent gear for good prices but they are getting far and few.
That actually is what is steering me towards Badges.
I don't think the full impact will be known for between 3-5 years.
Middlemen who bring back orders etc from Russia are doing so at risk and they complain about the prices there, and yet again the fakes that are making their job even harder, as they are getting caught out as well.
I believe interest is growing for these medals/orders. Its a double edge sword. Good for the medals you have but not for the ones you wish to buy.
Just think about the German Awards.
Just a few thoughts.
Chris...PS the irony is, in a few years if you want to sell your collection, you may be better off selling them in Russia...???
