Fake Orders of Glory

[Henry Sakaida]

Now on that well known auction site, a Cavalier set of the Orders of Glory.
1st class, serial number 2174. The only problem is, #2174 WAS NEVER AWARDED! And for a medal that was never awarded, it has lots of scratches and dings on it! Starting bid is $8499 and the seller is located in Greece. It just doesn't even look right at first glance, like someone gold plated it.

I've seen this same medal before.
Someone is working hard to separate a neophyte from his hard earned money.:laff

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by Henry Sakaida

Now on that well known auction site, a Cavalier set of the Orders of Glory.
1st class, serial number 2174. The only problem is, #2174 WAS NEVER AWARDED! And for a medal that was never awarded, it has lots of scratches and dings on it! Starting bid is $8499 and the seller is located in Greece. It just doesn't even look right at first glance, like someone gold plated it.

I've seen this same medal before.
Someone is working hard to separate a neophyte from his hard earned money.:laff

Henry,

We have previously discussed OGI s/n # 2174 here based on its earlier appearances on the well-known auction site. As noted earlier here, 2174 is an original unissued piece. Not all unissued pieces, however, were treated with kid gloves once they "departed" the mint. They routinely changed hands many times and were often crudely gold tested on their journeys from the Soyuz to their current homes.

As for the remaining two OGs, I have my doubts about the OGII.

We flagged this "set" as bogus some time ago and, as a "set", it remains so.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[Henry Sakaida]

Thank you for the follow up and clarification! I wonder if unawarded pieces were ripped off during the collapse of the Soviet Union. I remember seeing photos of trays of unawarded high end awards at the Russian mint online, a few years ago.

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by Henry Sakaida

Thank you for the follow up and clarification! I wonder if unawarded pieces were ripped off during the collapse of the Soviet Union. I remember seeing photos of trays of unawarded high end awards at the Russian mint online, a few years ago.

Henry,

You're welcome. Yes, this is not the only unissued OGI which I've encountered over the years. That said, it stands to reason some OGIs were "liberated" from the mint during the chaotic initial years following the USSR's collapse. One may assume the same may hold true for other Soviet decorations.

Regards,

slava1stclass

Gents,

Currently on the well-known auction site as offered out of the Czech Republic.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[Henry Sakaida]

Looks good to me, but #2453 was never awarded. Another unissued piece??!

[slava1stclass]

Originally Posted by Henry Sakaida

Looks good to me, but #2453 was never awarded. Another unissued piece??!

Henry,

Unlike the original, unissued OGI s/n 2174 discussed earlier, this one is a clear fake. Closely examine the two side by side for confirmation.

Regards,

slava1stclass

[Kjetil Kvist]

Again: OG 2.

Found no 28609 on a famous auction site today, and have 28717 in my collection.

The engraving of the serial number is different, and there are some other small differences in the die on the obverse (but it might just be dings from wearing the order).

Any comments?

[Kjetil Kvist]

... and 28717

[godefroy]

Saluation,
i on our local auction site i have noticed a strange number OG3.
Looks funny to me, im curious your opinion.

[desantnik]

Originally Posted by godefroy

Saluation,
i on our local auction site i have noticed a strange number OG3.
Looks funny to me, im curious your opinion.

Looks bogus to me. You can also see a horizontal strip around the number where someone ground down the original serial number to engrave this fake one.