Duplicate Medal for Valor

[luftwaffenkopf]

ring is uncut and it weighs about 28 grams. what do you think? thank you

[NavyFCO]

I think there are crickets on this thread because people are cautious about this one.

Personally, from the photos, the medal itself looks okay.

However, I really don't care for the patina in the numbers and "D". The font appears to be correct, but the numbers themselves are just too deep and the patina just too perfect for me to be 100% comfortable with it.

PERSONALLY, if it were me, unless I was getting this as a bargain, I'd probably pass on it. It could very well be 100% legit...but I just don't have a completely good feeling about the numbering. It could be that I've just not seen enough "D" numbered duplicates with stamped numbering to really have a good feel for them (I've only owned four or five of them) so that could be the reason too.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Hopefully someone with a better feel can jump in and comment.

Dave

[luftwaffenkopf]

thank you! i haven't handled any duplicates and this would be my first. the price was $75 and all i had to go on was the mondvor site,

http://mondvor.narod.ru/MOtvaga3.htm

the small font seems ok, my concern is with the uncut ring. why would a duplicate, late version medal, have what seems to be an original uncut ring, unless it was made to deceive? what are your thoughts about this?

[NavyFCO]

I'm not following on the uncut ring? Why would it need a cut ring?

[luftwaffenkopf]

I'm not following on the uncut ring? Why would it need a cut ring?

original and early (fitting the 6 digit serial number), non-duplicate, medals had uncut rings. this later version replacement medal, made of one piece, should have a standard cut ring. maybe i'm assuming things... thanks

[NavyFCO]

You mean the hanging ring above the ring on the planchet? The cut/uncut theory is interesting, but from the ones I've owned, it really doesn't play out. I wouldn't base my decision off that.

Rings aside, I still don't like the numbering. But if you're happy with it, the price is very reasonable. Go for it!

[luftwaffenkopf]

You mean the hanging ring above the ring on the planchet? The cut/uncut theory is interesting, but from the ones I've owned, it really doesn't play out. I wouldn't base my decision off that.

Rings aside, I still don't like the numbering. But if you're happy with it, the price is very reasonable. Go for it!

thanks, i figured i was assuming things about the hanging ring... looking around i found this on eBay, just to compare the numbering,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soviet-Russi...item27e278fd59

and this,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soviet-Russi...item2ec3ea6701

[NavyFCO]

I don't like the numbering on the medals in either of those auctions, sadly...

[NavyFCO]

Just to add...I think the entire second group is fake. The Red Banner and non-D Red Star look okay, the others (and the document) are bad.

On the first auction, I have a hunch the reverse of the Red Star was polished and re-textured with a new serial number added. It might be good, but I personally wouldn't touch it.