Soviet Liberation of Prague Medal: Really Close Up

[Robert P.]

Hi.

Here's some closeups of the Prague Medal. Very nice condition. The finish which remains gives the medal a 'rough' texture look. With the finish worn it would appear smoother.

Robert

[Robert P.]

and the reverse of the same medal...

[Rick Research]

Here's mine at 400%-- I don't know if it was a digital camera optical "issue" with Robert's, or if in fact the notched tips of the sun rays on his are not as distinct as this:

[Rick Research]

Reverse:

[Robert P.]

Give me a while, Rick, and I'll get another photo with the lighting coming from the side to cast some shadows. Should reveal the detail better than that.

Respects.
Robert

[Robert P.]

Rick,

Here are some better closeups of the sun's rays. There is definately a big difference in detail between your medal and mine. I see fine detail to other areas of the medal. The rays are just really lacking anything at their tips. And there is one thing that is different about this medal over all the other Soviet type 1 medals I own; The color of the solder is rather a dark brown, almost black. I see the true dull silver color of solder on all of my other medals. I don't know. Just observations. The medal came with a new ribbon on a very worn brass suspension. This doesn't mean anything other than someone has traded whistles and bells. But this lack of detail and odd solder job raises questions or doubts in my mind. The medal's loop looks real good, filed at the bottom. But anyone could have done this if they were really trying to make a good repro piece. IMO, the leaves look very poor also, have a cast look! Open for opinions.

Respects.
Robert

[Rick Research]

I'm less inclined to simply rush into "doesn't match/must be fake" on things where the wear could be natural. I'm still feeling my way around Soviet collecting, so any learning experience is for the best.

The only WW2 fake that I have-- and CAN'T scan-- is a Partisan 1st Class-- beautiful soft real silver, but REALLY worn down... so much so that you'd have to be looking at the RIM with considerable paranoia to notice what is, then, a very clear SEAM along the rim where it was actually CAST.

Short of that, I don't know any way to REALLY tell what is a worn and what is a fake one, unless the DIES are noticably DIFFERENT by omitted details.