Numbered Zhukov Medal

[Ed Maier]

This is my first time trying to post an image to the forum so I hope it works.

I ran across this last week and wanted to know if anyone has any infomration about it. It is a Russian Federation Zhukov Medal but it is serial #0129 on the reverse. I have never seen another example with the N._____ and the serial number. Does anyone have an idea about it?

Thanks,
Ed

[Bryan]

Hi Ed,

This is a first for me as well. I have seen quite a few Zhukov medals over the last few years, but never one that had a SN.

Bryan

[Eugene]

I had this medal before. Zhukov medal was established in 1994 for participants in WW2. The status was changed in 1995 and medal started award for current service (numbered ones). Numbered Zhukov medal is variation 2 and very rare.

[Art]

You guys are probably familiar with the rare instances when a campaign medal has been observed with a similar serial number, but for others who are not, here is an article copied from Paul McDaniels site, written by Paul McDaniel :

collectors newsletter

Serial-numbered Campaign Medals

Over the last several months, the issue of serial numbers on campaign medals has appeared. Although I have only observed 2, several collectors have stated that they have seen many more.

At first, I believed the serial-numbering of campaign medals was probably done by the veteran, however, this appears to not be the case. So far, from all of the collectors I have corresponded with, only Stalingrad, Caucasus, Odessa and Sevastopol Medals have been observed with serial numbers.

One theory, given by fellow collector Andrew Kuznetsov in Kiev, Ukraine, is that the medals were serial-numbered at the unit, at division or even regimental level, and are the serial numbers that correspond to the document serial number. He has also observed that Odessa and Sevastopol Medals were hand-engraved and Caucasus and Stalingrad Medals are stamped. The lowest and highest serial numbers observed have been 479 and 39349. I have in my possession, Caucasus Medal number 034387. The example below is the reverse of a Stalingrad Medal.

-end-

Members may want to visit Pauls site to see the image of the award he mentions. The serial number doesn't look like the Zhukov serial number, but I believe a similar reason is behind the numbering. Also alot of great reading in his collectors newsletters.

Art

[Ed Maier]

Art,

There is one difference here. The numbered Zhukov medal has a space and "N" made into the medal to accomodate the number, the regular version does not and neither do the serial numbered campaign medals.

Thanks,
Ed

[Art]

Ed,

I know, but maybe the two have similar reasons for being numbered?

Art

[Nota Bene]

Art,

Leningrad Medals were numbered too. Also I have seen a set with numbered Leningrad, Victory, Koenigsberg, and Berlin medals. I believe they were numbered at the shop where the recipient ordered his multi-sectional suspension made.

Alexei

[Eugene]

Art,
You are confusing two different issues. Those campaign medals are numbered unofficially.
Zhukov numbered medal is official government issue.

[Art]

Guys,

For what reason would the un-official numbering be? Alexei, you mention it might have been done at the shop where the multi-sectional suspension was made, but what might the reason be for this?

Art

[Nota Bene]

Art,

They didn't want those medals to be mixed up at the shop.

Alexei