The copy is correct: "black" antique dealers sell awards under the guise of props

For most Russians, Soviet—era military awards are symbols of Victory and family heirlooms, but some see orders and medals as just expensive goods for collectors. State awards are still in demand in the antique market, and their price is only increasing. The details are in the Izvestia article.

Someone else's glory is cheap

The illegal trafficking of state awards is extremely latent, but the dynamism of this segment of the black market can be judged by the activity of users on thematic Internet resources and criminal reports. Orders and medals of the Soviet era, especially those related to the period of the Great Patriotic War, are highly valued by underground collectors.

In April, the trial of a resident of Orenburg, who tried to sell her father's awards — "Veteran of Labor of the USSR", "Children of War" and "Motherhood" for 50 thousand rubles, ended. The announcement of the sale of illegal goods was discovered online by the police and came to the meeting disguised as buyers. The woman sent her son as a courier. After the man's arrest, it became clear who the seller was. The Orenburg woman explained that the awards belonged to her late father and she allegedly did not know about the criminal liability for the sale of medals. The court sentenced her to a fine of 15,000 rubles.

In March, transport police officers stopped an attempt to sell three medals: "Veteran of Labor", "For Valiant Labor (For military valor). "In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" and "For valiant labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945." A 54-year-old resident of Orsk tried to sell awards at the Novy Gorod station for 2,500 rubles.

Earlier in January, a resident of Tambov sold a Suvorov medal, which he found in someone else's home, after stealing from a household. The award was once awarded for personal heroism during the Great Patriotic War.

What's in the price

A source close to the antique salons told Izvestia that the Orders of the Red Banner and the Red Star of the Great Patriotic War are being sold for millions of rubles, despite the high risk of being prosecuted.

— Awards with a confirmed biography are in the greatest demand, — says the interlocutor. — The cost increases dramatically if the feat of the owner or the numbered details of the order or medal are known.

For example, the price for early versions of the Order of the Red Star (with the image of a Red Army soldier in windings instead of boots) reaches up to a million rubles, and for the Order of the Red Banner — even higher.

Antique dealers with a reputation refuse to deal with government awards because of criminal liability under Article 324 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which threatens with a fine of up to 80 thousand rubles or arrest for up to three months. Because of this, the main turnover of rarities went to the closed communities of military historians. Sales take place on specialized forums or through pawnshops at discounted prices, which also carries risks for buyers.

In some cases, the sale of other people's medals is preceded by common crimes, for example, burglary. It also spurs the black antique market.

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How much is a "copy" for the people?

On the Internet, illegal merchants display real orders in replica sections, making sure to add the word "copy" to the description — a formal ploy for moderation. The buyer usually understands everything and pays the original price. The algorithms of websites and auctions rarely recognize such ads, which allows them to hang for years.

Izvestia studied the offers on one of the major sites in the "tokens, medals, badges" segment and found dozens of lots legally disguised as souvenirs, but economically equated to rarities.

Numbers instead of words

So, a seller from Nizhny Novgorod put up a lot "Order of the Patriotic War II degree silver copy". The description specifies: "Jubilee", 925 sterling silver, weight 27 grams, the image of a hammer and sickle is gilded. The lot price is 20 thousand rubles. In the same city, another user sells "Orders and Medals of the Great Patriotic War" for 40 thousand rubles.

— Formally, we have copies in front of us, but no manufacturer of souvenir products will cast a "copy" of the precious 925 metal and apply electroplating, — says the source of Izvestia. — The cost of silver alone (27 grams at the exchange rate) is about 2.5 thousand rubles, and the jeweler's work raises the price to 5-7 thousand. Selling for 20 thousand is a trade margin typical of the antique market, not the souvenir market.

The copy is correct

The description of the lot contains the keyword "copy", which serves as a legal shield for the seller. The ad is published in a legal area, but the buyer understands that he is purchasing the original. Otherwise, for 20 thousand rubles, you can buy a modern replica cast from tompack (a type of brass) or nickel silver (a copper-based alloy with nickel and zinc additives).

"But for some reason, private sellers choose silver," the source says ironically.

It is significant that none of the ads contain documents confirming the "copyability" (for example, a manufacturer's certificate). There is also no factory packaging. There is only a short phrase: "Copy. The price is for both sets."

The view statistics confirm the interest. The announcement of the Orders of the Great Patriotic War, without specifying the "copy" in the title (but probably with a reservation inside), gained 3,700 views. The announcement of the sale of a "copy" of the Order of the Patriotic War — 230 views in 5 days.

Those who do not remember kinship: who sells military awards for veterans

The police are investigating the sale of awards from one of the founders of the Victory Museum on Poklonnaya Gora, Vladimir Dolgikh.

Legal conflict

Legally, the seller who put up a "copy" of silver is in a "gray" zone. If he declares the lot as a piece of jewelry (weight, sample), he must have a stamp and receipts, says lawyer Ekaterina Krasnova.

— If, as a reward, he falls under Article 324 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, the wording "copy" saves him from formal charges, but does not negate the question: why does a private individual sell precious metals through a bulletin board? — says Krasnova.

A separate category of sellers are heirs.

— State awards of Russia, the RSFSR and the USSR are not property in civil circulation, — explained lawyer Ekaterina Krasnova. — They cannot be sold, donated, or included in a will. There are already many examples where relatives of prominent figures find themselves with a criminal record for selling awards after the death of their owner. Moreover, relatives are not always aware that they are violating the law.