Lenin.

[dav1941]

What are the specific gold and platinum weights in a OL?

[UQWozza]

Data for September 18, 1975:

Gold in the order = 28.604 ± 1.1 g.
Platinum in the order = 2.75.

Total weight of order = 33.6 ± 1.75 g.

Height of order = 40.5 mm.
Width of order = 38 mm.

Simon

[medals73]

Why such concern with the intrinsic value? I find the fixation on the market value to be bad enough. What about the historical value?

Have we all become investors and jewelers here?!

[Eryk]

A member was good enough to post this, data from a doc apparently no longer available online.

Have not seen it contradicted, so there you go. :thumbsup

[deValcourt]

Ed, Ed, Ed...It could simply be a natural human curiosity about the make up of the order. Frankly, I was curious before I found out myself. It didn't mean that I was going to melt it down and sell the components. I find it interesting to see what the Soviets wanted to put in their most prized awards - the ultimate example is the Order of Victory which whenever it is discussed the author always mentions the precious metal and jewel content - right down to the karats.

I don't think anyone here who intends on remaining a member is looking at how much they can make from their collection when they sell it.

Though the precious metal content of some awards is interesting to me, it is also a deterrent to me from buying them because of the price - which is generally driven by the gold and platinum value and, IMHO, over values the OLs (and probably the HSU-HSLs as well). Until these factors become less involved in the price, I may not be able to complete my collection since all I want is a reasonably priced OL, regardless of its pedigree. I just want to complete the list of ODMs I want to have in my collection.;)

Phillip

[desantnik]

And what is wrong with investors and jewelers?

Without one, we wouldn't have any of the precious baubles we collect and discuss. Without the other, well, we'd probably all be much poorer as socialists.

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by desantnik

And what is wrong with investors and jewelers?

Without one, we wouldn't have any of the precious baubles we collect and discuss. Without the other, well, we'd probably all be much poorer as socialists.

Don't misunderstand me; I am trying to make a point that the quality of Soviet awards is what drew me to them. I was already fascinated with the history of the communist experiment - especially during the Cold War when I was growing up.

And when discussing any of the higher end awards made of precious metals and/or gems that content is essential to the discussion of the item itself. There's nothing "bad" about that, it is just a simple aspect as much as the quality of the enamel or amazing detail in the workmanship of most of the orders.

And besides, if I already had an award I wanted, in the best shape it could be found, and I had the chance to buy another one at say half of what it's market worth is, I would - with the full understanding that I could sell it and make enough on the deal to maybe afford something else I want. That is just common sense IMHO.:)

Phillip

[Pobeda45]

Definitely, I think we're all on the same page. I'm in it for the historic/research aspect myself and I'd love to have more but unfortunately the "intrinsic value" of Lenins is preventing me from owning any right now. I'll sooner spend the same kind of money on a Nevsky, because the market tells me that it values historic value and rarity of Nevskys more than the intrinsic value. With the Lenins, the price seems to be pretty uniform, at Bullion Value + x%.

I definitely miss the simpler times when our beloved decorations could be had rather cheaply. Here's a fixed price catalog from a famous dealer from 1994. Can you imagine these prices today? There a RSFR Red Banner for $485, a Suvorov-II for $1700, a suspension GPW-I for $450, a Glory-I for $1700, and a hero set with Gold Star and Suvorov for $3500... :martian

George

[Eryk]

Mere mortals must be concerned with both value and price. Apologies to any collecting deities who find that distasteful. :rolleyes:

Old catalogs are a hoot. Interesting how "engraved number” was sufficient description. Now it's “What number?”, “is the handwriting accurate?”, and “wasn't that the day I.M. Petrovich, the left handed craftsman with the bad right eye, took over on the third floor of the Leningrad mint for a week, creating the t2 v3.9.8.2.1.1 series?” :D

Enlightening too; check out item number 156. I believe I paid less for my 1st class motherhood award only a few years ago. A number of prices (of low end stuff of course) are actually not that much lower than they are today.

[Pobeda45]

Originally Posted by Eryk

Old catalogs are a hoot. Interesting how "engraved number” was sufficient description. Now it's “What number?”, “is the handwriting accurate?”, and “wasn't that the day I.M. Petrovich, the left handed craftsman with the bad right eye, took over on the third floor of the Leningrad mint for a week, creating the t2 v3.9.8.2.1.1 series?” :D

:chuckle:chuckle So true. I've thought that as well.

Enlightening too; check out item number 156. I believe I paid less for my 1st class motherhood award only a few years ago. A number of prices (of low end stuff of course) are actually not that much lower than they are today.

Absolutely.. :thumbsup