Avers Series

[Thor Kruuse]

Thank's CtahhR:thumbsup

Can you advise another, more-updated catalog?

[CtahhR]

The market is far to vast and "flexible" to recommend a single source. If you are observing ebay that is probably the best guide to how much items are going for. Watch out for fakes though as they are omnipresent.

[new world]

I saw this on eBay. Here's seller's description:

"Here we're offering a great example of Russian "Capitalistic" Business Mind at it's best!!

Few years ago collectible dealers of Moscow decided to issue a PURCHASING Catalogue. To my understanding it added a new meaning to the word "Catalogue". They put everything in this book, whatever is worth collecting (or buying and selling) in Russia.

The trick was that the prices (in US dollars) were actually much lower then the actual market prices. That is how it worked: say you are a teenager having your grandfathers "Order of Lenin" and you decide to sell the decoration. So you approach somebody on the flea market with the offer to sell the thing, and you are shown the catalogue which states that the book value of the decoration is $270. So you agree at a "Kosher" price of $240.00. But the market value of the decoration is $380.00 for very many years.

As we said this catalogue has everything: Imperial and Communist coins; Imperial and Communist Orders and Medals; Imperial and Communist Badges. Even Nazi decorations are there! (The catalogue doesn't have: Icons, jewellery, stamps. To my understanding these dealers refuse to share the expenses of printing the catalogue.)

This book is not beautiful as soon as it was never meant to be sold to public! From the very beginning it had under-the-table meaning. Why I am recommending the book: It has zillion of pictures and it will give you the understanding of the market prices in Russia (just add 50-100% to the written value).

The book is very ,very handy, it will help you on many occasions. The catalogue has 192 pages, it is paper back, million pictures. It's title : "Avers""

I think what we have here is the very first Avers catalogue from 1992.

Just look at the prices:

Hero SU Star - $450,
Ushakov 2nd cl - $1500,
Suvorov 1st cl on suspension - $2500,
Suvorov 3rd cl screwback - $200,
Kutuzov 1st cl on suspension - $2000,
Khmelnitsky 1st cl - $1500,
Nevsky - $70 !!!!


Unbelievable!!! I wish I could buy few awards for these prices :)