Medal "For The Defence Of The Caucasus".

[Tal Inbar]

Prototypes.

[Kim]

I'm not 100percent that this is fake, I have seen too few, but 90% perhaps. It comes from a Caucasus medal doc. for a NKVD border lt.. That made me look closer on it. The state symbol lacks detail I think and it has a "too new ink"-feeling to it (I couldn't scan that...).

Any thoughts?

/Kim

[Nota Bene]

Kim,

I think it's genuine. The crest is quite detailed, and the letter are visible. I think they have used synthetic ink, which doesn't discolor witgh time.

Alexei

[Kim]

Thanks Alexei! One of the things that made me wonder is that the guy I got it from didn't change me more for a NKVD document. In fact he didn't even say that it would be border guard...:confused:

But no one could be happier than me when it's "good":D

/Kim

[Nota Bene]

Kim,

The seller probably didn't even know it was NKVD. I certainly would've charged extra for it :)

Alexei

[EricFG]

Did I just find a makers mark on the reverse of my V1 Caucasus?
Or is it just two random scratches?
I seem to see a small "7" on the reverse of the medal underneath the second to last letter of the last word.
I had an ORB once that had a makers mark on it (now living happily in Germany). Could this be the same or am I just dreaming?

[desantnik]

Yes, it would appear to be. I can't tell from the photo, but see if the medal is raised around the "7" indicating a punch and not a scratch.

[EricFG]

Originally Posted by desantnik

Yes, it would appear to be. I can't tell from the photo, but see if the medal is raised around the "7" indicating a punch and not a scratch.

Thanks Paul.
There doesn't seem to be any raised area, even slighty, around the "7".
The more I look at it the more it looks like a ding and a scratch. One even seems to have more patina in it than the other.
Now we do know that a "7" is a relatively common maker's mark on Orders, but has anyone ever seen a mark like that on a common medal?

[Nota Bene]

Interesting! Looks old, but I am not sure it's a mint stamp...

Alexei

[SGM (ret.)]

I've read several posts where collectors have noted unusual changes or additions to medal ribbons (for instance, putting felt under the ribbon) and thought I'd post this one for your consideration.

This is a Defense of Caucusus medal that has acitate sew over the ribbon, presumably to keep it clean. It appears to be original to the medal (very stiff and yellowed with some minor cracking around the edges).

The medal also has some residue from old polish in some of the cracks, and appears to have been highly valued by its original owner.

Your thoughts or comments are solicited.

Mike