Medals from Mongolia
Mongolian Military Medals, Decorations & Awards.
Mongolia’s official honors, including medals, orders, and honorary titles, are regulated under Mongolian awards law and have evolved through its history, from the early Mongol Empire to the modern state.
Historic titles such as Hero (“Baatar”) were conferred on outstanding military leaders. The Order of the Precious Wand was originally created in the early 1900s to recognize those who helped secure Mongolia’s independence; it was later abolished after the 1921 revolution and then re-established in 1991. During Mongolia’s socialist period, many state awards were modeled after Soviet designs and included titles and medals for military merit, labor achievements, and service to the state. After Mongolia became a democratic republic, many traditional awards continued, new ones were introduced, and there have been ongoing efforts to update and reform the system of honors.
Honors in Mongolia are typically conferred by presidential decree, often at official ceremonies marking national holidays or important anniversaries. Recipients range from military personnel and civil servants to artists, scientists, and foreign nationals who have contributed to Mongolia’s interests
Early Mongolian Awards
Mongolia’s system of awards and medals has roots that reach back to the era of the Mongol Empire, when titles like Baatar (“Hero”) were traditionally given to distinguished military leaders. In the early 20th century, as Mongolia moved toward independence from China with support from Russia, the Order of the Vajra (also known as the Order of the Precious Wand) was created to honour Mongolian nobles and allied foreigners, especially Russians. The Order of the Vajar had three classes and twelve grades. This early award was discontinued after the Mongolian Revolution of 1921.
Communist Mongolian Awards
As Japanese militarism expanded, Mongolia’s relations with the Soviet Union became closer. As a result, the country remained independent but closely allied. In this communist period, state awards were revived and heavily influenced by the Soviet model: designs, criteria and the overall system reflected those of Soviet awards, although the award designs were distinct. In 1936 the title of “Hero” was formally established by law, and in 1941 the corresponding medal badge was created. Other Soviet-styled awards, including labour and service distinctions, were added over the years.
The Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic Medal
The Hero of the Mongolian People’s Republic, first awarded in 1922, was one of the highest distinctions in the country.
The Hero of Labour of Mongolia Medal
The Hero of Labour of Mongolia Medal is one of the country’s highest state honours, originally established during the People’s Republic era.
The Mongolian Order of the Red Banner
The Order of the Red Banner is a Mongolian military decoration originally established as the “Order for Military Merit” in 1926.
Post-Communist Mongolian Awards
After the democratic revolution of 1990, Mongolia kept many of its communist-era awards instead of abolishing them as some former Soviet states did. The Order of the Precious Wand was re-established in 1991, and in 2005 the Order of Genghis Khan became one of the highest state decorations. Since then, Mongolia’s honours system has been shaped by various laws and decrees, with many efforts to reform and modernize award designs and regulations.
The Order of Chinggis Khaan Medal
The Order of Chinggis Khaan, established on 17 May 2002, is the highest state decoration of Mongolia. It’s awarded for special merits.
The Order of Sukhbaatar
The Order of Sukhbaatar was formally introduced in September 1945 and is a major state order of Mongolia give for exceptional services.
The Mongolian Order of the Polar Star
The Order of the Polar Star was created in 1936 as a state award of the Mongolian People’s Republic. It comes in four types.
The Order of the Precious Wand
The Order of the Precious Wand was instituted in 1913 (reinstituted 1991) for strengthening democracy and cooperation with Mongolia.
The Order of Mother Heroine
The Order of Mother Heroine was introduced in 1957 and awarded to mothers for bearing and raising large families.
Find Mongolian Medals Online
Some Mongolian medals are relatively easy to find, although this depends heavily on the rank and time period. Below you can see some online listings for Mongolian awards available right now on eBay.
