Patrol And Guard Service Identification Badge.

[CtahhR]

Here is a PMR Identification badge of the Ministry Of Internal Affairs Patrol And Guard Service. This obviously belonged to "Officer" #41. When I picked this up about 4 years ago (for very little money) I was told by my Moldovan former Parachutist Starshina friend that these and other PMR items were VERY common in Chisinau. I don't know how common common is but I've never come across another! and being numbered 41 that means there should be at least 40 more - somewhere......

[CtahhR]

Here is another one although it's numbering would suggest a "code" rather than a serial number. This is from an Estonian website where the badge sold for about $14 last year.

[deValcourt]

Coding or some other form of complicated identification is most likely the case. I think the first one you posted had the "dominant" number erased to prevent specific ID - these are still very new and in use so records could easily point to the recipient of the award.

Phillip

[CtahhR]

The original number of the award in my collection was -0041. No numbers have been erased as they are recessed and "coloured" and the left hand side of the - is not recessed nor showing anything that other normal wear. They may have started as serial and then moved on to code or maybe this person's code was just 41, then again it could be unfinished, but if it were unfinished why "colour" it if when adding more numbers it could be damaged?

It is rather poor construction but rather a darling item. I'm sure these get damaged quite easily in every day use.

[deValcourt]

Don't forget the possibility (and this is a strong one through experience) that it was simply stolen from the mint before final markings could be applied and thus making it a "registered" award that would have a record of manufacture somewhere. Incomplete awards are not recorded.

Phillip

[CtahhR]

It is a possibility but it would be strange to "enamel" some of the numbers and not all of them in the factory. It would also seem a little strange to only impress 4 of the 6 numbers in one sitting, specially the last 4 first and then have someone steal it and "enamel" it themselves. It's a shame there's no Transnistrians around....

[deValcourt]

The thing is, looking at the two examples, the first (#41) is clearly an unfinished badge - thus the "-" before the numbers. How or why the complete number is not present on yours is possible for a variety of reasons. I simply speculated on one possibility. Depending on the level of security or more importantly - secrecy, or even when something occurred to make the first numbers relevant is the simplest answer as to why they were not put on before the badge left the mint, however it did - rejected or stolen - it is incomplete.

Phillip

[CtahhR]

Quite possibly, but it wasn't me! Like I said before my SOLID contact in Chisinau seems to think these items are common. Maybe an entire batch was taken off the production line and put onto the collection line.

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

Quite possibly, but it wasn't me! Like I said before my SOLID contact in Chisinau seems to think these items are common. Maybe an entire batch was taken off the production line and put onto the collection line.

It is certainly more profitable for the mint worker. It is amazing what a US hundred dollar bill could buy you in mid-1990s Moscow. Everything anyone had access to was for sale if you had US dollars. I could probably have my own MMD medals made if I had enough cash to grease enough wheels in that machine.:rolleyes:

Sad, but true.

Phillip