Determining the Value of the Order of the Red Star: From Common to Rare Specimens

External Differences and Their Significance

Two Orders of the Red Star, which at first glance seem almost identical, can have a colossal difference in price. One specimen might cost around 1,100 hryvnias, while another could be worth almost 10,000 hryvnias. Visually, they may differ slightly in size, but their weight is nearly identical.

During the initial assessment, it is important to pay attention to the condition of the enamel. The presence of chips, especially on the star's rays, can reduce the value. Sometimes, specimens are found with the central medallion missing. However, since these awards were actively worn, such signs of use are considered acceptable.

The Key to Valuation: The Reverse Side of the Order

The obverse (front) of the order does not provide enough information for an accurate valuation. All the most important details that affect the value are located on the reverse (back).

To understand the award's value, you need to turn it over and carefully examine two main elements:

• The securing nut (spinner).

• The serial number engraved on the order itself.

It is these details that allow for determining the manufacturing period, the variation, and, consequently, the collectible and market value of the order.

Nut Material and Weight: The First Sign of Value

One of the first signs indicating the order's value is the material of the securing nut. Early and rarer specimens were equipped with silver nuts, whereas mass-produced post-war issues had nuts made of cupronickel (German silver).

The easiest way to distinguish them is by weighing. The difference in weight is significant and allows for an accurate determination of the material.

As seen in the table, the weight difference is almost 4 grams, which is a significant distinction. However, the nut's material is just one of the factors, and not the most important one.

Serial Number – The Main Pricing Factor

The main element that determines the value of the Order of the Red Star is its serial number. The lower the number, the earlier the order was issued, and the higher its price.

For example, an order with a number in the 3,221,000 range is a common specimen, issued around 1956. About two million of these awards were produced, and their value ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 hryvnias depending on their condition.

At the same time, an order with a five-digit number, such as 99,153, is significantly rarer and more expensive. Pricing is directly dependent on the number:

• Five-digit number: up to $500.
• Number in the 20,000s range: around $700.
• Number in the 5,000s range: up to $2,000-3,000.
• Three-digit number: over $20,000 (considered a rarity).

Special Production Types of the Order

In addition to the serial number, the price is also influenced by design features characteristic of different production periods. For example, on early orders, the screw post is exactly 1 centimeter long. Another important feature is the presence of a special platform at the base of the screw post, which collectors call a 'heel' or 'flange'.

There are several main variations of the Order of the Red Star, distinguished by their hallmark and construction:

• Type 1 'Goznak': the very first and rarest specimens.
• Type 3 'Mondvor': pre-war orders with the 'MONDVOR' hallmark instead of 'MONETNY DVOR'.
• Type 4 'Early Monetny Dvor': orders with a 'heel' (flange).
• Type 6 'Late Monetny Dvor': mass-produced issues without a flange, sometimes with a characteristic 'shagreen' (pebbled) surface on the reverse.
• Type 7 'New Medallion': the most common type, produced from 1952 onwards.

Examples of Auction Prices

Actual auction prices clearly demonstrate the difference in value. An Order of the Red Star with the number 65,376, belonging to the early type with a 'heel' and a silver nut, was sold for 8,082 hryvnias.

Meanwhile, an order with a number in the 3,221,000 range, which is a mass-produced post-war specimen without a flange and with a cupronickel nut, was sold at auction for 1,101 hryvnias. These examples confirm that the serial number and production type are decisive factors in valuing the award.