Defence of Sevastopol - opinions please...

[luftwaffenkopf]

i know better/closeup pics are needed but this is all i have right now...

[Greg Collins]

Just going by the photos posted, I don't like it... the detail (the devil's in the details) is uneven on the back of the medal- see how some areas of the type are more pronounced than others. May just be the photo, but I don't like what I'm seeing. I'd need more images (close-ups) of the various elements, as well as a couple edge shots to really come to a conclusion. This IS one of the most faked Soviet awards.

[Darrell]

I agree, I don;t like it either. Compare to mine for details.

Obv.

[Darrell]

Rev.

[luftwaffenkopf]

thanks guys! i'm waiting for better pics from the seller but he's taking his sweet time which could be a bad sign in itself...

Darell, i think our medals are even. mine has more wear on reverse and yours more on the front. yours just looks more convincing... but it's a tough call.

[Darrell]

Not sure I like the ring on top of the pendant on the one you show either.

[luftwaffenkopf]

here is an honest one i found on the web...it's a later variation than yours Darrel as can be seen by the solid (as opposed to split in your medal) ribbon ends...

[luftwaffenkopf]

some photos in hand now. lots of details but i'm leaning towards a high end fake...what say you?

ah i just noticed a detail in my medal not present in others, which kinda puts the nail in the fake coffin so to speak
the letters with pointy bottoms like A, P, H, T and the Russian "P", all have the fancy wavy splits as opposed to flat sarif feet...

[Greg Collins]

OK, now I can easily see what I thought I might find... the tell-tale surface signs that indicate this is a cast medal rather than a struck medal (originals were struck). Sorry; I hope it didn't set you back much.

[luftwaffenkopf]

thank you, i see it too, not to mention the funny letter font...set me back about $50, but i also got this original document of gratitude to some soldier...

i imagine they were given to most any soldier at the end of the war. but how many kept them through the years? my guess is not that many just because it was so common and had very little value if any.

...like saving a Beatles' concert ticket back in '65

[Greg Collins]

Actually, this medal (along with the Defense of Odessa and Capture of Belgrade) is quite rare, in the scheme of Soviet campaign awards, and had a very small (for the Soviets) distribution. So rare, in fact, that were this genuine it would go for between $250 and $350. Not bad for a chunk of brass!