What Communist Bloc Countries Do You Collect?

[Greg Collins]

Well John, though still confused about all versions of the thing, I finally found a 2nd Class of the order! Here she is:

[Greg Collins]

Well, my post indicating I had begun my Romanian collection in earnest is now a little over four months old. And what a four months it has been! I'd like to share some observations regarding collecting Communist Romania (maybe blowing off a little steam here). Friends, collecting Communist Romania is not for the squeamish nor is it for armchair collectors. If you need reference materials to guide you- forget it. If you need photos to guide you- forget it... I'm nearly convinced that the only cameras in Romania between 1947 and 1989 were at the exclusive disposal of the President at the time. The ONLY reference book I've been able to find is in German and by Rainier Schmitt. I "dissed" the book when I first got it, but no more... hell, I cling to it now as it is the only reference I've been able to find in print. There are a couple of websites- a very good one in Russian- but most a vague at best. The main sources for information are individuals who went through the experience and those who speak with them... and they aren't that talkative if you're from the west. I will say, however, that this is a good "college of hard knocks" and, after you've done your research you will REALLY know the subject COLD! After all of the above, I find that I have really come to love this area of the collection and the "adventures" I'm going through.

Now, having gone through all that verbal diarrhea... John:

The award you show is, as you said, the Order for Distinguished Services in Defense of Social Order and the Country (Pentru servicii deosebite aduse în apãrarea orânduirii sociale ºi de stat). It was the highest, purely Securitate order and was awarded in 3 classes to Sergeants and above. It was instituted in 1958. From 1958 until 1965, all three classes had RPR in the banner below the seal. The awards looked like:

1st Class- large, pin-backed, red enameled star with a gold-plated seal.
2nd Class- same as above with a silver-plated seal
3rd Class- smaller red star with silver-plated seal hanging from a 5 sided suspension (Soviet style) with a blue ribbon with 3 narrow red stripes in either side. The 1st and 2nd Classes also had separate ribbons with the narrow red "side stripes" corresponding to the Class number (one for 1st, two for 2nd).

In 1965, the Romanian Peoples' Republic became the Romanian Socialist Republic. This award remained basically the same with the exception of changing the RPR in the banner on the seal to RSR. This may be refered to as a transitional award because, in 1968, the award was completely redesigned- even the ribbon bar. So John, you have a transitional 3rd Class of this award!

In 1968, the Order was rebuilt from the ground up to a design looking like a multi-rayed "sunrise" with simulated stones surrounding a new State seal bearing "Romania" in the lower banner and a tri-coloured banner between olive branches below that. All three classes are now pin-backed and the ribbon bar is now stripes of blue, yellow, red, light blue and white with a medallion attached. The 1st Class is gold-plated with clear stones, the 2nd is silver plated (and more often with purple-ish stones although I have seen clear) and the 3rd Class is bronze with clear stones. I thought I had a 1st Class... ooops... it was actually a 3rd (research rears it's ugly head again). It's OK though, as these are rare in any class. I'm showing this 3rd Class, in box with ribbon, document and document cylinder again as it is the pride of my Romanian collection and to have all these items together, just as they were presented is, well, outrageous and a great bit of luck. Hope I haven't bored anyone to tears.

[Ralph P]

Greg - You for sure have not failed me in letting us know what you think and are going through to achieve your collecting goals. Additionally, I think what you have said will better assist other collectors of Romanian medals and documents. Thanks...

[Wikipedia]

During the WWII USSR

During the cold war Vietnam and DDR

also like ČSSR

[Ruiz]

Hi to all forum members!
I´m collecting: Bulgarian Orders and Soviet Orders and Medals.
Best regards.

[Ralph P]

Hello Ruiz - Thanks for your post on your collecting interests. I would be interested in reading more on what you own and any photos from new threads from you...

[Ralph P]

What DDR items are you collecting right now?

During the WWII USSR

During the cold war Vietnam and DDR

also like ČSSR

[Ruiz]

Hello Ruiz - Thanks for your post on your collecting interests. I would be interested in reading more on what you own and any photos from new threads from you...

OK Ralph, I will do !
Best regards.

[Ralph P]

Alright!!! I will be ready for your show and tell...

OK Ralph, I will do !
Best regards.

[Colonel Mustard]

dang it takes forever to get activated here D: but i collect mainly soviet union and i have some east german stuff and vietnam stuff but i want to start collection china and north korea

[magnusmilitaria]

For all collectors of Yugoslavian orders and medals nice peage:

http://www.jugoslovanska-odlikovanja.com/index-jo.html

Take a look!
Regards
Mark

[Ralph P]

Thanks for the link...some very interesting medals and badges on the website...

[Traiano]

I like the badges (and other) of different countries

- SOVIET UNION
- DDR
- HUNGARY
- CUBA
- ITALIA (Partito Comunista)
- NORTH VIETNAM

[John F.]

I like the badges (and other) of different countries

- SOVIET UNION
- DDR
- HUNGARY
- CUBA
- ITALIA (Partito Comunista)
- NORTH VIETNAM

CiaoTraiano,

Benvenuto al WAF Communista Forum. Look forward to seeing your North Vietnam items .

[oldflagswanted]

Anywhere ???

Anywhere with military unit colors is fine with me,
but I don't recall seeing any flags from Mongolia.
Unless you count a WW2 Soviet siberian division.
........... OLDFLAGSWANTED ...........