Soviet Russian WW2 Medal for the Capture of Berlin VARIATION 1 + OLD SUSPENSION

Description

Soviet WW2 Medal for the Capture of Berlin, Variation 1 (with separate eyelet).
This is GUARANTEED ORIGINAL medal made in 1945-1946 at the Soviet Mint and officially issued by the Soviet authorities (usually by a military unit of the recipient or by his military commissariat where he lived after the discharge from the military). This is NOT one of the replicas that have flooded the market in recent years!
The medallion is in brass, measures 32.0 mm wide. The front has raised inscription “For the Capture of Berlin”. The reverse has the date “2 May 1945” - the day when the last strongholds inside the German capital including the burned-out shell of the Reichstag building fell to the Russian onslaught. This version of the medal is the earliest of them, VARIATION 1 characterized by the eyelet made as a separate part soldered to the medallion (unlike the later versions having the eyelet struck together with the medal as one piece).
This medal is in VERY GOOD condition, especially for a WW2 era Soviet award. There is only very minimal wear; the medal is completely free of bumps to the edge, significant dings, or visible scratches.  The raised details are exceptionally well preserved and crisp. The original “gilt” mint luster is nicely preserved and bright, although there are a couple of small oxidation spots on the obverse and some minimal tarnish on the reverse, none of which is too detractive. The medal comes on an OLD suspension of late 1940s issue, a double layer model in steel with integral catch of the pin. The ribbon is old, possibly of the period, but it is still very clean and sound (Soviet veterans wore their medals often, so the suspensions and ribbons were routinely discarded and replaced).
The importance of the battle for Berlin cannot be overstated. This battle which directly involved forces of two Soviet Fronts (army groups) was by no means easy: Hitler remained in Berlin for the last-ditch defense, and many of the German units fanatically fought to the last man. When it was all over, much of the city was reduced to rubble. With its Fuhrer dead, industries ruined, and the military at the end of its rope, the Third Reich surrendered in just a few days.
This ORIGINAL example is an opportunity to acquire the First Version of the Berlin Medal at a bargain price!
FREE SHIPPING
(USPS 1st cl. Mail) WITHIN USA ONLY!
We WILL NOT ship our eBay items outside USA.