Fake "Defense of" Campaign Medals

[CtahhR]

Personally I find it rather difficult to contradict one of the authors of the "big red book" although I have successfully argued a contrary view before.

I believe that it is a fake too. It just doesn't click for me. A real Stalingrad sold on the forum about a week ago for $20 so that must be about the market price for them - and they are not by any means the least desirable of Soviet Medals. Then again we all know that everything is faked to one extent or another.

As for sources for Soviet awards I've only ever found 1 solid Ukrainian dealer and I got maybe a dozen items from him (higher end campaign Medals). No problems with posting the items out. There are threads in "General Talk" informing us about how zealous customs etc (Ukrainian or otherwise) can be when there in person. (Here's one)
The vast majority of Soviet awards I've collected come from Georgia (but then again the GSSR was my favourite) where "Soviet" items are tarred by the actions of Russia during 2008 and are certainly not seen favourably by many. I've got a feeling that Ukrainians may also have their attitudes fall in line with many Georgians. Unfortunately Ukraine is absolutely swamped by fakes which is not as prolific a problem in Georgia.

Echoing again - Beware!