Bulgaria- Disturbing Discovery

[Greg Collins]

Was on our favorite auction site... killing time... when I happened on what appeared to be a 2nd Class 100 Year MVR badge. It was not identified as that but, rather, as an MVR Graduation badge. Curious. I opened the page and noticed the price was $99, which freaked me out a bit and I would have normally closed-out but I noticed something in the image of the badge's reverse. I enlarged the image and found a stylized lion's head with "www.mint.bg" below.

I followed the link to find that the Bulgarian Mint is, apparently, privatized and in operation. They have a sampling of production, so I chose "insignia" and, low and behold, one of the offerings is an ultra-rare prototype MVR Medical Academy graduation badge! Now, I guess, NOT so rare! I've also come to learn that not all their products have their new "www" address and logo on the back.

To date, I've seen two examples- a couple of 100 Year MVR badges (one actually had a pin back with "dammit" clutch fastener rather than the wheel nut) and the Prototype MVR Medical badge on the market. What's next?!!!