Hi -
Actually, I do not want to participate in this forum - but articles like this are just wrong and misleading!
After the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, it was possible without much difficulty to enter - only a visa was needed. Likewise Russians could freely travel within Europe. The clever ones brought silver from before the revolution (cutlery, cigarette cases, icons, old pocket watches) and old paper money from before 1920, which they sold here. Since I already collected Russian silver, I was able to make some contacts, which took me to St. Petersburg and Moscow. There again I met the author of the ABEPC books - Vladimir Krivtsov - who wrote various compilations (silver, medals, etc.) including prices that were usually paid for them. There was everything the collector's heart wished for - original and mostly in top condition - it had been hidden since 1917. Counterfeits were completely unknown! Textbooks were missing, Mr. Krivtsov was the first to create an illustrated guide. The majority of Russians could not handle these things at the time and were glad to get some dollars for things they dug out of cabinets. Slowly, a market developed, prices rose, the offer of the first hour was long outdated - the first fakes emerged from Poland. The rest of the development should have become clear to even the most naive person!
Back to the topic Sazikov:
Anyone who has ever held authentic silver from Sazikov in their hands knows why this company has had such great success. The shown stamps of the Gohram collection are an insult to me. I enclose some original objects and their stamps - I think even a good-faith and naïve observer recognizes a qualitative difference. Furthermore, I also show the items on which these stamps are - which I miss in the comments of Mrs. Voldaeva.
I share the considerable doubts of Aguest and now await the obligatory shitstorm of our local experts - who certainly do not own a single piece of Sazikov!



Original Sazikov objects and marks (compare the marks with the "marks" shown by Mrs. Voldaeva and others!)





Here some of the shown "marks".


All the best and goodbye!
Goldstein