Order of the Badge of Honor, Type 3, Variation 1 "flat back" without the mint mark, #43412, circa late 1944 - early 1945 issue.
Silver gilt, enamels; measures 51.0 mm in height (incl. eyelet) x 33.8 mm wide; weighs 37.7 g not including the suspension and connecting link. Not only this piece is among the earliest Badges of Honor manufactured after the 1943 change in design from screw back to suspension, but also one of very few that did not have a mint mark. The Mondvor.narod.ru classifies this version Type 3, Variation 1, Sub-Variation 2, and its previously known serial number range was from 43429 through 45352. Of course, the actual quantity of specimens produced without the serial number is actually much smaller than these numbers would suggest: the serial number range is shared with the far more numerous "regular" mint-marked Sub-Variation 1 (## from 32000 through 59500). Moreover, the serial number of this particular specimen is below the lowest quoted on the Mondvor website.
Excellent condition, extraordinary for an award of WW2 vintage. The enamel is literally pristine, showing a magnificent luster and no wear that could be found even with a 10x loupe. The raised details of the artwork are perfect and exceptionally crisp having only a few microscopic contact marks invisible to the naked eye.
Comes on original suspension device, a WW2 two-layer model in steel with a self-locking pin. The old ribbon is very well-preserved and attractive. The silver connecting link appears to be original, and its ends are still joined with solder in a seamless manner characteristic of the Soviet mint manufacture.
This rare specimen of the Order of Badge of Honor deserves a very special place in the advanced collection of Soviet decorations! Given that it is almost certainly a wartime issue, it also has a great research potential.
Item# 42831
$2,400.00 Add to cart
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