Gem EK1

[Marc Garlasco]

All,

The newest jewel in my collection:






Here is the "reverse maker mark" on the pin backside - very difficult to photograph.



And the case:

[Ian Lim]

The glare from this Minty piece is hurting my eyes

[Gary B]

Dear Flak 88,

Beautiful! I love the minty 26s.

Gary B

[Chet Sowersby]

Marc,
That is one fine cross! I assume it is from what is referred to as the "russian hoard" find?

Chet

[Dave-B]

Man,I've got the shivers from that frost!


Dave

[Marc Garlasco]

Chet,
I am not sure if she is from the Russian Hoard, but when I opened the case I heard it call me COMRADE!

Thanks for the comments guys,
Marc

[DasEiserneKreuz]

Yeah, it looks like one from the Russian hoard. I have owned about three or four of these. They are nice.

[George Stimson]

Isn't it interesting that the stream of EKs from the "Russian hoard" seems to have pretty much dried up? These pieces used to be readily available on numerous dealers' sites. Now that they aren't, it's almost enough to make you think that there actually was a hoard with a limited number of crosses in it. In other words, maybe the story was true!

[DasEiserneKreuz]

George,

At first I was sceptical about the "hoard", but I have owned a few, and they are good. It is not impossible for something like that to have occured. We know that the Russian military confiscated many things while in Germany during the last days of the Reich. We also know that may items were hidden for many years by the Russian authorities. Many such items were discovered shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. I am not suprised that these are getting harder and harder to find, as most reside in personal collections now. I do know one individual who wanted to sell his, but the price is a little high.

[George Stimson]

I don't really doubt the "hoard" story at all. In fact, I own a "26" (uncased) from it! But some people have expressed skepticism. The "drying up" of hoard EKs indicates to me that the story is likely true.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I remeber when they first hit the market, cased fir about DM475... how we laughed and said noone would ever pay that.....

[Marc Garlasco]

Chris,

Was that around 1999?

Marc