In brass; measures 32.2 mm wide; weighs 17.2 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Features a separate eyelet soldered to the medallion.

In excellent condition, extraordinary for a medal as scarce as the Defense of Odessa. Both the obverse and reverse show practically no wear detectable to the naked eye and have only a small number of microscopic contact marks. The raised details are perfect and exceptionally crisp on either side. There is a single mild bump to the raised edge at 9:00 o'clock, barely perceptible and certainly not detractive. The brass show

In brass; measures 32.2 mm wide; weighs 17.2 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Features a separate eyelet soldered to the medallion.

In excellent condition, extraordinary for a medal as scarce as the Defense of Odessa. Both the obverse and reverse show practically no wear detectable to the naked eye and have only a small number of microscopic contact marks. The raised details are perfect and exceptionally crisp on either side. There is a single mild bump to the raised edge at 9:00 o'clock, barely perceptible and certainly not detractive. The brass shows beautiful uniform toning and is completely free of blemishes, while some of the original "gilt" mint luster is visible in recessed areas, especially on the obverse.

The medal comes on an original suspension device, a WW2 two-layer model in brass with a self-locking pin. The perfectly preserved ribbon shows age and some use although it is more recent than the medal itself. The connecting link has been cut but appears to be of the period.

Being the hardest to find of all Soviet campaign medals of WW2 (there were just slightly over 30000 ever awarded, many of them relatively early in the war), the Medal for the Defense of Odessa is rarely available in excellent condition. This magnificent example is literally the best we've handled in the past few years and is nearly impossible to upgrade.
$850.00  Add to cart