When did you buy the award that's worth the most in your collection?

[alanirvine]

Yeah, I remember that too.

The Khmelnitsky 2nd was $3120 and the 3rd was, can you believe $760. The HSU included many other awards and documents was, I believe $3,100.

Good deals all.

I am sure that all of us have similar stories.

Alan

[Dante688i]

Just an update here. . .

I'd say these are now some of the most expensive pieces in my collection -

Just yesterday I purchased an Order for Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR 3rd Class (I believe it may be an earlier manufacture / award as the "anchor & wing" star is not silver-washed) and a 2nd Class.

Needless to say, I am very excited, so bear with me on this self-indulgent post!

- Sean

[roy]

Order of Friendship of Peoples purchased in June 2003 for $290.00.

[DutchBoy]

Originally Posted by Dante688i

Just an update here. . .

I'd say these are now some of the most expensive pieces in my collection -

Just yesterday I purchased an Order for Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR 3rd Class (I believe it may be an earlier manufacture / award as the "anchor & wing" star is not silver-washed) and a 2nd Class.

Needless to say, I am very excited, so bear with me on this self-indulgent post!

- Sean

If you could post a pic of the 2nd class, I"d appreciate it. I love those orders.

Thanks

[Dante688i]

Matthijs,

Sure, I'd be happy to post a picture. As I just received them, I haven't had time to photograph or scan them, so it will probably take a day or so.

- Sean

P.S. I agree with you - these orders are extremely interesting!

[rboomsma]

May-June of 2005

Order of Lenin Screwback
Order of Red Banner of labour screwback (very rare variation only 5 observed)
Order of Red banner number 4
Order of Red Banner reverse screwback

I consider them all kind of equal to my crown jewels of my collection given what I paid for them and what they are selling for now.


[QUOTE=matteti]Hello all,
Recently, there has been a lot of talk about raising prices and the future of soviet collecting, etc.

It was very interesting to read all posts and it gave me the idea to start this thread in order to get a better idea of the situation.

I would like to ask you to limit your answers by only giving the date (exact date or month + year, or even just year) when you purchased the award in your collection that today is worth the most.

This should help to get a better idea of the collecting trend.

[CtahhR]

This is a rather tricky question to answer as it is down to opinion as to which item or group is worth the most, or would realise the most if sold.

The items that have cost the most are not always seen to be worth as much as other items I got for a really good deal. One item I was gifted (and that I know how much was paid) after only two weeks was offered over ten times what had been paid (well into four figures).

I like to haggle, on top of ensuring my sources are solid. Many former sources have lost my patronage due to playing strange games. Sometimes haggling can really open up some very good bargains - specially when buying in bulk and repeatedly. I am certainly very willing to spend when I'm happy with the deal.

The item that cost the most (just under £500 with the exchange rates of the time) was the Laureate Of The International Botev Prize which I believe was in December 2008.

The item that could be "worth" the most was the DPRK Hero Of Labour which was purchased in 2011.

When it comes to a realisable price for many of the higher, rarer or heavily researched awards presentation is often key (including adding strange mythical backstories). Nothing from the collection is or will be for sale at any point.

I'm always on the prowl for new additions to the collection but my focus is certainly rather niche. Usually items that are overlooked and ignored by the masses - Lucky me! Knowing what you want and who you can rely upon to supply it is often of greater importance than having large sums of cash.

[Tretov]

2004 or 2005, documented / named Group of Hero of Socialist Labor with Order of Lenin and documents for Highest Soviet member badges. I traded a Order Bogdan Khmelnitski III for this group.