Soviet Medal For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945 (Reverse Side)

This item is the reverse side of a circular Soviet military campaign medal, established on May 9, 1945. It is constructed from brass, displaying a distinct golden-yellow hue typical of many WWII-era Soviet decorations. The coin-shaped medal has a diameter of approximately 32mm and features embossed Cyrillic text. Around the upper perimeter, it reads 'ЗА ПОБЕДУ НАД ГЕРМАНИЕЙ' (For the Victory over Germany). The center contains the horizontal inscription 'В ВЕЛИКОЙ ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННОЙ ВОЙНЕ 1941–1945 ГГ.' (In the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945). At the bottom center, there is a small five-pointed star. The surface exhibits a granular texture common in mass-produced cast or struck medals of this period. There are visible signs of aging and wear including a dull patina, minor surface scratches, and small dark spots of oxidation or 'zinc pest' beginning to form. The edges show slight smoothing consistent with handling. The absence of the suspension ribbon and the mounting ring (pentagonal block) indicates this is only the pendant portion of the award. The craftsmanship is utilitarian, reflecting the high-volume production required at the end of the conflict where millions were awarded to military personnel.

I have examined the digital representation of the Soviet 'Medal For the Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945.' This brass medal, measuring approximately 32mm, appears to be an authentic mass-produced variant characterized by the utilitarian strike and granular texture typical of 1945 production. The reverse inscriptions 'ЗА ПОБЕДУ НАД ГЕРМАНИЕЙ' and the central text follow the standard design protocols. The condition shows moderate wear with a dull patina and minor oxidation spots, which are expected for its age. The primary limitation to its value is the lack of the original pentagonal mounting block and the distinctive orange-and-black striped ribbon of the Order of Saint George, which reduces it to a 'pendant-only' status. As over 14.9 million of these medals were struck, they are among the most common Soviet decorations. Current market demand is steady among entry-level collectors, but prices remain low due to this extreme abundance. High-quality examples with full ribbon assemblies rarely exceed $30, and loose pendants typically trade in the $15–$25 range. Please note: a definitive authentication of the brass composition and strike sharpens cannot be completed through images alone. A physical inspection would be required to verify weight (approx. 15-17g) and to rule out contemporary fakes. Provenance documentation, such as the original 'award booklet' (Udostoverenie), would increase historical interest but would only marginally affect the financial value given the high survival rate of this specific award.