Khalkhin Gol Medal (aka Badge for the Battle at Khalkin Gol), Transitional Version, circa 1946.

Brass, silver plating, enamels. Measures 37.3 mm in height not including the flagpole finial, 36.7 mm in width. The badge is Variation 1 featuring relief reverse construction, usually associated with the the Moscow Artists Cooperative (MTKh) manufacture. The details and enamelwork are also standard for Variation 1; note in particular the darker shade of the azure enamel as opposed to almost turquoise tone of enamel of the Variation 2.

The screw post is approx. 2.7 mm in diameter and 9 mm in length. It is slightly thicker than the copper screw post standard for Variation 1 badges that would accommodate a wing nut with the "Moscow Artists Cooperative" logo. At the same time, the screw post is noticeably thinner than the typical screw post of the Variation 2. The "Monetnyi Dvor" (State Mint) screw plate is of the kind normally found only on Variation 2 Khalkhin Gol badges (incidentally, it is also exactly the same as screw plates used on Soviet Hero Stars, except for being made in silver-plated brass rather than gilded silver.) Its threads match the screw post perfectly, and the screw plate appears to be of the same vintage as the badge itself, not a replacement. Likewise, the screw post on this specimen appears to be completely original: there are no telltale signs of repair or alteration. We therefore believe that this piece is an interesting transitional sub- variation completed at the Mint after production had been moved there utilizing an unfinished Moscow Artists badge that was already been "in the pipeline". It would be interesting to see if any other such examples may be found eventually.

Note that the reference book "The Orders and Medals of the Mongolian People's Republic (1924-1992)" actually mentions that there were early attempts to manufacture Khalkhin Gol Badges during the war at the Krasnokamsk Mint, but very few had been actually completed before 1946. This piece may well be from this early series. /See "The Orders and Medals of the Mongolian People's Republic (1924-1992)", Khuujii Urnukh, p. 181/

The badge is in excellent condition, absolutely outstanding for the early issue. The red enamel on the banner appears flawless to the unaided eye; close examination with a magnifying glass reveals only a couple of microscopic flakes at the upper edge of the banner - completely invisible to the naked eye - and a few tiny contact marks. The red scroll with inscription "Halhingol" has miniscule flakes along the lower edge which are completely undetectable to the naked eye and a scratch with a slightly larger but still miniscule flake at the letter "L". The azure enamel in the center and the green, gold and orange enamels under the feet of the horse are pristine. The silver plating on the cavalryman and his horse is exceptionally well preserved having just a tiny amount of wear on the raised points. The details are perfect and crisp. The silver plating on the reverse of the badge is nearly pristine and shows very attractive patina.

Item# 32284

$550.00