Freedom And Independence Order 1st Class.

[DutchBoy]

Order of Freedom and Independence, a high North Korean award.

Pictured is the 1st class.

[CtahhR]

Here is the Freedom And Independence Order 1st Class (자유독립훈장 제1급). The Order was founded 17th July 1951 and awarded to Army commanders for great military success during the Korean War. This Order is the third highest Order in the DPRK after the Kim Il-Sung Order and National Flag Order and is the highest military only award. The Order is not liberally awarded and an awardee has to have had a real meritorious "combat" participation. This very late numbered award (4950-4999) is apparently the current variation, constructed of plated copper and without additional combat operations it is very unlikely many more will be awarded.

[Pobeda45]

Great orders guys.

Lately on the popular auction site there have been multiple OFI 1st Class orders offered by a China seller. I have a suspicion that these are Chinese made counterfeits, but I'm not positive as I know DPRK order quality can also be iffy for the modern issues. What do you think?

[CtahhR]

They're authentic late pieces (c1990s) although the lack of numbering and wear my be signs of them being unissued. Certainly not worth 3 digits of anyone's money. I wouldn't be surprised if these were slowly churned out year in year, one at a time, keeping the market price inflated. If the demand goes I'm sure they will be hidden away again until a certain price can be obtained but there are vast stockpiles of these and other "high end" DPRK awards with the supply being carefully controlled to keep prices up. I've seen some stockpiles so I'm not interested in paying inflated prices.

[Pobeda45]

Thanks! Nice to get the perspective on it. As far as the prices, also agreed--I don't think the quality or context of these support what some have been paying. On the other hand, a hot-enameled silver or brass wartime award.. :bigthumbsup

You've mentioned the stockpiles..a conspiracy theory could be that DPRK is knowingly manufacturing and letting out these orders to raise some hard currency..

[CtahhR]

For me, the only truly appealing items would be documented pre-1953 awards. Early pieces do turn up (and fall into the collection) but without the paperwork there is far more speculation than anything else.

I wouldn't be surprised if over 99% of these were issued post ceasefire. This award didn't even exist at the start of hostilities so not the best case for finding a wartime (or before) award.

As for stockpiles, I'm not big on grand conspiracies but the supply is being manipulated to keep prices as high as possible.

If you look at all these parades, everyone is coated yet the life expectancy in the DPRK is not the highest in the world. Lots of awards have been produced.