Order of the Red Banner of Labor question on Type 3 variations

[MitchBear]

Hi,
I am in a bit of a quandry. I have an older Order of The Red Banner of Labor, that is a Type 3. I was under the impression it was a Variation One award, but was recently informed it wasn't since "Type ones routinely did not have a mintmark, just a serial number..." That the award in fact was a type 5 mint-mark at the upper edge of the reverse in two straight lines. Any help would be warmly appreciated. Thanks. Mitch

[Alfred]

Mitch,

can you post a picture of your Red Banner of Labour?

regards
Andreas

[EricFG]

Originally Posted by MitchBear

Hi, I am in a bit of a quandry. I have an older Order of The Red Banner of Labor, that is a Type 3. I was under the impression it was a Variation One award, but was recently informed it wasn't since "Type ones routinely did not have a mintmark, just a serial number..." That the award in fact was a type 5 mint-mark at the upper edge of the reverse in two straight lines. Any help would be warmly appreciated. Thanks. Mitch

No, most Soviet Orders are mintmarked although Schmitt/McDaniel state that "a very few type 3 pieces have been observed without mint marks"

I presume you mean 'variation one' when you say "Type ones" in the second sentance.

A T3V1 ORBL should have a mintmark at the 12 o'clock position, up high under the ring.

A T3V1 is called a "long oval" due to its height. It should measure 47/48mm high.