I think it`s time for a DKiG . Any thoughts...

[Mark Holmes]

Well i have been collecting EK`s for about 2 years now and always imagined a DKiG was out of my price range .
I suppose in a way it still is , but i have had an idea .
Firstly i was wondering what an entry level piece might cost ?
As my collection is now a fair size i can probably let a couple or 3 of my cased awards go to finance a possible purchase .
So ....if theres anyone out there who could help me in my quest maybe with one for sale or trade then i am all ears .
I will take any advice with regards to selecting the right award and all help is gratefully accepted , so thanks in advance .

[mmiller]

Hi Stomper,

I think that a lightweight 20 would be the least expensive of the 'batch', unless you want a heavy 20, a six rivet (or 10), a big heavy number 1, a scarce DK manufacturer like 2, and so on. Do you want it mint, or battle worn. If you don't mind a chip in the swaz enamel, you can save some bucks there, and get a pretty broad selection to choose from.

For Me At Least, I'd start at $1500 and back off around ............. well, how deep is your pocket! If you go for one mit early etui, you will pay more for the case than the DK. Later and more common cases ain't all that cheap either. Your first two decisions in the selection process:

1) Condition?
2) Case?

Regards,
Mark

[Don D.]

Go for condition. You won't be happy with a crappy.

[Robert P.]

Nice DKiG's don't come around that often. With that in mind, if you can save the future money you would spend on the EK's you could build a nice 'reserve', ready for that nice piece when it does appear. It takes real discipline, but this way you won't lose anything you have, and you gain a nice DKiG. When we were kids we called it the 'dream', and that's how we did it.

Robert

[Nico C]

Good advice from Robert .

[Chet Sowersby]

Mark,
Go for condition. If the time ever comes that you need to sell it (heaven forbid!) it will move quickly. The DKiG is an award that is meant to get in your face and a mint one certainaly does just that.

Chet

[Mark Holmes]

WOW , thanks Guys...
I think i would be happy without a case but i hear what you all say about quality , i do like a nice shiny piece and in all honestly i only want one , so to settle for a lesser quality piece would probably make me crave for a better one , so i will look for a decent Award 1st time .
As far as letting pieces go , my 1st class awards were something i got into after collecting 2nd class for a while . My long term aim is to have a piece from every maker , to keep this dream alive i should really stick to 2nd class awards until such time as i have them all .
And now i have this crazy idea in my that i need a DKiG...
You all understand . So with all this in mind ,
I am still open to offers of trade or if you have a nice piece to tempt me then as i said , im all ears.

[mmiller]

I'm a condition man too. If you can hold out from buying for a while, that IS the best way to do it.

My first DKs.... never needed to upgrade. Stomper, here are the 20s I was talking about.

Mark

[Dennis GT]

Condition is the way to go, cost maybe more at the time but you will never regret it. It will all ways be a crown in the collection. I felt I crossed over into the real collector fellowship when I got one from a German Dealer who has sales at the end of the year. I can't explain it but I knew that I had crossed over a line. If cased awards are your thing then get a cased one. Sell off the other stuff you do not want so you can get and get the war chest ready.

Dennis

[Hank C.]

Is there any argument for an awarded piece?? Something with provenance? I'd rather have a not-mint medal with history, than something that sat on the shelf.

Of course, I can't afford either...

best
Hank

[Don D.]

An awarded piece is ok as long as it doesn't look like the owner got run over by a tank. Provenance is problematic. How do you really know? The award doc would be nice but then you have really priced yourself out.
Bottomline is to get one that you are happy to look at and not thinking about trading up for another one in 3 months.

Mark, beautiful crosses.

[hagwalther]

Buy the best you can afford and if you can't afford it wait a few weeks/months until you can.

Regards ...

[FPH]

Hi all,
I agree, a condition one is nice, but it depends of the budget. I would already be very happy with a salty version of that high qualification award! About 16 years ago a crook sold me a fake! Now I want to replace it by an original one.
Does someone of you have an idea of the price of a salty one (a complete, with pin) ? You can send me a PM if you think that publishing of prices is not ok.
Many thanks.
Bye.
Frank

[Nico C]

Welcome Frank!

Some weeks ago, I saw a salty piece on Detlev's update for 1500 euro.
I think 1250 euro is a minimum.

Best,

[DavidM]

Condition is the way to go, cost maybe more at the time but you will never regret it. It will all ways be a crown in the collection. I felt I crossed over into the real collector fellowship when I got one from a German Dealer who has sales at the end of the year. I can't explain it but I knew that I had crossed over a line. If cased awards are your thing then get a cased one. Sell off the other stuff you do not want so you can get and get the war chest ready.

Dennis

Hello

As has been said, go for condition. You'll never regret having a good condition piece, but if it's a bit on the worn side you may hanker after better condition piece.

As Dennis says, a certain German dealer offers some quite decent discounts at Christmas, (yes, I know it's way off yet but it does give you time to save up and maybe not have to sell anything), but with 25% off I was able to pick this light '20' up for a very good price at the time. Well worth the wait and saving !

Regards
David