The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd Class

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd class was commissioned on 10th October 1943.

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3rd class was awarded to lower officers and those of rank (including partisan units) who showed bravery and intelligent decision making that resulted in the victory of a battle.

In total five thousand seven hundred and thirty eight 3rd class orders were awarded.

The third class order has the star formation of the 2nd and 1st class orders but the stars points are smaller and have a more rounded point. The central plate is silver and also larger than that of the higher 2nd and 1st class orders.

Type 1 – Variation one – Rare and difficult to find. This type is made from a three piece construction with a soldered screw back and seam around the central plate.

Type 2 – Variation one – Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. Same in design to type one but with a two piece construction rather than three. The central plate has a more flush appearance with the star formation of the order.

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The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd Class

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd class was commissioned on 10th October 1943.

Unlike the 1st class Order, the Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 2nd class was awarded to divisional, brigade or battalion commander who managed to make a grand breach or successful raid of enemy lines.

In total two thousand three hundred and thirty nine 2nd class orders were awarded.

The second class order is silver with a gold central plate depicting Bogdan Khmelnitsky.
Type 1 – Variation one – Very rare and normally the demand is a lot higher than availability, also very expensive. Has a screw back with no rivets.

Type 1 – Variation two – Very rare and normally the demand is a lot higher than availability, also very expensive. Has a screw back with two rivets spaced 18mm apart either side of the central screw.

Type 1 – Variation three – Rare and difficult to find. Has a screw back with three, one above and one either side of the screw back.

Type 1 – Variation four – Rare and difficult to find. Has a screw back with two rivets spaced 16mm apart either side of the central screw.

Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 1st class

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky, in Russian Orden "Bogdana Khmel'nitzkovo" was commissioned on 10th October 1943.

The Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 1st class was awarded to army commanders who directed successful combat campaigns that led to both extremely heavy enemy losses and the liberation of a Soviet town or city.

In total there were only three hundred and twenty three Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 1st class awarded. Of those that won this award quite a few went on to become a Marshal of the Soviet Union, these included Petr Kirillovich Koshevoi who fought in the battle of Leningrad and Sergei Semenovich Biriuzov who led his unit and helped crush the German 6th army in the siege of Stalingrad.

The first class order is silver with a gold star sitting behind the main award and a gold central plate depicting Bogdan Khmelnitsky.

Type 1 – Variation one – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. This variation has three rivets on the back either side of the central pin and the serial number below the central screw back.

Type 1 – Variation two – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. This variation is the same as variation one except that it has two rivets, one on the left and one on the right of the central screw back.

Order of Glory 3rd Class

The Order of Glory 3rd class, in Russian Orden "Slavy" (Tret'ej Stepeni)), was commissioned on 8th November 1943.

The Order of Glory 3rd class is the lowest of the three Order of Glory classes and is awarded to non commissioned officers and those of the lower classes who have not gained any class Order of Glory and shown further bravery during battle against the enemy.

In total nine hundred and ninety seven thousand eight hundred and fifteen 3rd class orders were awarded.

The first class order is a silver star with a central silver plate showing the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a red five pointed star at the top of the tower and a red banner underneath with gold writing saying “Slava” which means glory. On the read there is a raised circle with the letters CCCP (USSR).

Type 1 – Variation one – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. Made of silver with a silver central plate, the edging of the star is raised on both back and front. The ring is part of the medal.

Type 2 – Variation one – Easy to find in small quantity. Made of silver with a silver central plate, the edging of the star is raised on the front only. The serial number on the reverse is hand engraved.

Type 2 – Variation two – Easy to find in small quantity. Made of silver with a silver central plate, the edging of the star is raised on the front only. The serial number on the reverse is not hand engraved.

Order of Glory 2nd Class

The Order of Glory 2nd class, in Russian Orden "Slavy"(Vtoroj Stepeni), was commissioned on 8th November 1943.

The Order of Glory 2nd class is the intermediate of the three Order of Glory classes and is awarded to non commissioned officers and those of the lower classes who have already gained a 3rd class Order of Glory and shown further bravery during battle against the enemy.

In total forty six thousand four hundred and seventy three 2nd class orders were awarded.

The first class order is a silver star with a central gold plate showing the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a red five pointed star at the top of the tower and a red banner underneath with gold writing saying “Slava” which means glory. On the read there is a raised circle with the letters CCCP (USSR).

Type 1 – Variation one – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. Made of silver with a gold central plate, the edging of the star is raised on both back and front. The ring is part of the medal.

Type 1 – Variation two – Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. Made of silver with a gold central plate, the edging of the star is raised on the front only. This variation is very thin, no more than 1.5cm at the points of the star. The raised circle on the rear has a thick raised rim with a thinner raised rim inside.

Type 1 – Variation three – Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. This variation is the same as variation two with the exception that it is thicker in appearance with the points of the star being up to 2cm in thickness

Order of Glory 1st class

The Order of Glory 1st class, Orden "Slavy" (Pervoj Stepeni in Russian, was commissioned on 8th November 1943.

The Order of Glory 1st class is the highest of the three Order of Glory classes and is awarded to non commissioned officers and those of the lower classes who have already gained a 2nd and 3rd class Order of Glory and shown further bravery during battle against the enemy.

In total two thousand six hundred and twenty 1st class orders were awarded.

The first class order is a gold star with a central gold plate showing the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a red five pointed star at the top of the tower and a red banner underneath with gold writing saying “Slava” which means glory. On the read there is a raised circle with the letters CCCP (USSR).

The Oder of Glory has an orange ribbon with three black stripes and is called the “Georgian Ribbon” as it is the same as that of the Cross of St. George.

Type 1 – Variation one – Rare and difficult to find. Mostly made of gold and with the numbers stamped on the back.

Order of Kutuzov 3rd Class

The Order of Kutuzov 3rd class, in Russian Orden "Kutuzova" (Vtoroj Stepeni), was commissioned on 8th February 1943.

This order was awarded to battalion and company commanders for successful counter attacks and skillful leadership in evading enemy attacks at the front line.

In total three thousand three hundred and twenty eight Orders were awarded.

The Orders of Kutuzov 3rd class has a central silver plate with Kutuzov in silver and the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a silver five pointed star above. There are five silver points coming from the central plate and a silver five pointed star situated slightly behind the points.

The ribbon for this order is blue with an orange central stripe and orange trim on the outside edges.
Type 1 – Variation one – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. Variation one was suspended from the top via a ring hole.

Type 2 – Variation one – Very rare and normally the demand is a lot higher than availability, also very expensive. This variation is of a one piece construction and has a screw back.

Order of Kutuzov 2nd Class

The Order of Kutuzov 2nd class, in Russian Orden "Kutuzova" (Vtoroj Stepeni), was commissioned on 29th July 1942.

This order was awarded to divisional and brigade commanders for successful counter attacks and skillful leadership in evading enemy attacks at the front line.

In total three thousand three hundred and twenty five Orders were awarded.

The Order of Kutuzov 2nd class has a central white plate with Kutuzov in silver and the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a red five pointed star above. There are five silver points coming from the central plate and a silver five pointed star situated slightly behind the points.

The ribbon for this order is blue with orange trim on the outside edges.

Type 1 – Variation one – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. Variation one was suspended from the top via a ring hole.

Type 2 – Variation one – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. This variation has a screw back with three rivet, these rivets are situated on the back of the silver points coming from the central plate.

Type 2 – Variation two – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. This variation has a screw back with five rivets, one rivet on the rear of each of the silver points coming from the central plate.

Order of Kutuzov 1st Class

The Order of Kutuzov 1st class, in Russian Orden "Kutuzova" (Vtoroj Stepeni), was commissioned on 29th July 1942.

This order was awarded to military commanders of armies for successful counter attacks and skillful leadership in evading enemy attacks at the front line.

In total only six hundred and sixty nine Orders of Kutuzov 1st class were awarded.

The Orders of Kutuzov 1st class has a central white plate with Kutuzov in gold and the Spasskaya Tower of the Kremlin with a red five pointed star above. There are five silver points coming from the central plate and a gold five pointed star situated behind.

The ribbon for this order is blue with an orange central stripe.

Type 1 – Variation one – This version has never been available on the market and never will. Variation one was suspended from the top via a ring hole.

Type 2 – Variation one – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. This version has a screw back that has a small hole and also three rivets, one at the bottom and two at the top either side of the central star point.

Type 2 – Variation two – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. This version has a screw back and three rivets, one at the bottom and two at the top either side of the central star point.

Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin, in Russian Орден Ленина was commissioned on 6th April 1930.

The order was awarded to civilians and military personnel who defended the Soviet Union and also gave an outstanding service to strengthening both peace and labour.

In total over four hundred and sixty thousand orders were awarded.

The Order of Lenin came in three different medals, at first it came in Silver between 1930 and 1934, then between 1934 and 1936 the order was made in Gold and after this time it was then made in platinum.

Type 1 – Variation one – Extremely rare and will take a collector with funds available a few years to find one. This Order is silver and has a screw back.

Type 2 – Variation one – Very rare and normally the demand is a lot higher than availability, also very expensive. This order is Gold with a silver head of Lenin in the centre and a screw back.

Type 3 – Variation one – Rare and difficult to find. This order is Gold with a platinum head of Lenin in the centre and a screw back. This variation has the word мондвор on the rear.

Type 3 – Variation two– Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. This order is Gold with a platinum head of Lenin in the centre and a screw back. This variation has the word монетaй двор on the rear.

Type 4 – Variation one – Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. This award has a ring suspension and a ring in the middle of the reverse with a dimple close by.

These variations cover the first two decades but other variations exist.

Order of Alexander Nevsky

The Order of Alexander Nevsky, in Russian spelt Orden "Aleksandra Nevskovo" was commissioned on the 29th July 1942.

This Order is a military award given to commanders who showed skill and courage in commanding their units whether they were platoons or battalions during the Second World War. In total just over 47,000 Order of Alexander Nevsky medals were awarded.

The Order of Alexander Nevsky is 90% silver supported by a light grey with a strong central red stripe ribbon bar. In total there are three types of this award.

Type 1 – Variation one – Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. This variation has a stick pin and five rivets on the back along with a ring soldered on the top of the point on the top star.

Type 1 – Variation two – Very rare and normally the demand is a lot higher than availability, also very expensive. This variation is the same as variation one except there are only 3 rivets on the back.

Type 1 – Variation three – Rare and difficult to find. This variation is the same as variation one but only has 3 rivets on the back and no stick pin.

Type 2 – Rare and difficult to find. This type has a screwback rather than a stick pin and is made of a three piece construction.

Type 3 – Variation one – Scarce, almost rare so not easily available. This type has a screwback rather than a stick pin and is made of a two piece construction.

Type 3 – Variation two - Almost never available and collectors will never have a chance to purchase one. This variation is the same as variation one except that it is more concave in appearance.

For The Defense Of Stalingrad Medal

The For The Defense Of Stalingrad Medal (Russian - За оборону Сталинграда) was issued on the 22nd December 1942 and awarded to all civilians and military who were part of the defense of Stalingrad between July and November 1942.

The defense of Stalingrad started on the 12th July 1942 and lasted until 19th November 1942 with heroic civilians and soldiers of the Red Army fighting for 140 days to stop the city bearing the name of the Soviet leader Stalin from falling into enemy hands.

There are two variations to The For The Defense Of Stalingrad Medal, these are one where the ring is soldered on separately to the medal and one where the ring is part of the medal itself. The medal ribbon for both variations is light grey with a thin red line running down the centre.

There were 759,560 For The Defense Of Stalingrad medals awarded yet they are not rare to find in the present day. The Defense Of Stalingrad medals are usually available to purchase without long delay but are difficult to find in bulk quantity.

Unfortunately you do have to be careful when looking to purchase these medals as many fakes have been made, even though the originals are low in price.

Order of the Red Banner

The order of the red banner (Russian Орден "Крaсного Знамени") is the first order created by the USSR (Soviet Union). The order of the red banner originally appeared on 16th September 1918 but was not truly established until 1st August 1924.

The first person to ever recieve the order was Vasily Konstantinovich Blyukher (Russian: Василий Константинович Блюхер) on 28th September 1918 for his command of the 10,000-strong South Urals Partisan Army during the Russian civil war. In two months Vasily Blyukher marched his troops 1,500km while fighting the white forces.

Other famous individuals to have recevied the order of the red banner are

• Georgy Zhukov (3 times)
• British spy Kim Philby
• Sniper Vasily Zaytsev
• Joseph Stalin
• Marshal Semyon Timoshenko (5 times)
  

The order of the red banner was the highest decoration given for courage, honour and valour in military deeds even after other medals were created until the order of Lenin was established on April 6th 1930.

The order was worn on the left breast as a badge, a ribbon was later added that was red with a white central stripe and narrow white stripes on the outside edge of the ribbon.

In total an estimated five hundred and eighty thousand order of the red banner decorations have been given since its inauguration.

For collectors of USSR medals the order is a must but is difficult to get hold of. Even if one does become available they are generally very expensive to purchase because of how rare they are.