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The Medal for Courage (Russia)

The Medal For Courage is a state decoration of the Russian Federation awarded to soldiers of the Soviet Army and other citizens.

The Medal “For Courage” or Medal “For Valour” (or Медаль «За отвагу» in Russian) is a state decoration of the Russian Federation that was awarded to soldiers of the Soviet Army, Navy, border and internal troops and other citizens (and in some cases non-citizens) of the USSR. The medal was retained from the Soviet awards system following the dissolution of the USSR.

It was created by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on October 17, 1938. The first three Medals for Courage were awarded only three days later to three border guards for acts of bravery during the Battle of Lake Khasan. More than 4,2 million were awarded during the Great Patriotic War.

The award criteria was amended on three occasions by three separate Presidential Decrees, № 19 of January 6, 1999, № 444 of April 17, 2003 and № 1099 of September 7, 2010.

From its creation in 1938 to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, 4,569,893 medals were awarded, many posthumously.

The Medal for Courage Medal Design

The Medal for Courage measures 34mm in diameter and is a circular silver medal with a raised rim on both the obverse and reverse.

On the obverse are three aircraft flying from right to left. Below the aircraft is the impressed and red enameled inscription in two lines “FOR COURAGE” («ЗА ОТВАГУ») and below is a (T-35) tank with its forward left corner closest to the front.

The medal’s reverse is plain except for an embossed letter “N” followed by an horizontal line in the lower half reserved for the award serial number, and a maker’s mark below it. The medal is secured to a standard Russian pentagonal mount by a ring through the medal suspension loop. The mount is covered in a silk moiré 24mm wide grey ribbon with a blue 2mm edge stripe on each side.

The Medal “For Courage” was retained by the Russian Federation after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with the same basic design save for the caption “USSR” (CCCP) on the lower obverse.

The Order of the Badge of Honor

The Order of the Badge of Honor (орден «Знак Почёта») was a civilian award of the Soviet Union established on 25 November 1935.

The Order of the Badge of Honor (or орден «Знак Почёта» in Russian) was a civilian award of the Soviet Union established on 25 November 1935.

The order was conferred on citizens of the USSR for outstanding achievements in production, scientific research and social, cultural and other forms of social activity; for promotion of economic, scientific, technological, cultural and other ties between the USSR and other countries; and also for significant contribution to basic and applied research.

The “Order of the Badge of Honor” was awarded 1,574,368 times and later replaced by the “Order of Honor” (Орден Почёта) by a Decree of the Presidium of the USSR on 28 December 1988. Following the USSR dissolution, it was replaced by the “Order of Honor” of the Russian Federation, established by Presidential Decree no. 442 of 2 March 1994.

The Order of the Red Banner of Labor

The Order of the Red Banner of Labor was an order of the Soviet Union established to honor great deeds and services to the state and society

The Order of the Red Banner of Labor (or Орден Трудового Красного Знамени in Russian) was an order of the Soviet Union established to honor great deeds and services to the Soviet state and society in the fields of production, science, culture, literature, the arts, education, health, social and other spheres of labor activities.

It is the labor counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order. The Order of the Red Banner of Labor could be awarded multiple times to the same recipient for successive deeds and long time merit

The Order of the Red Banner of Labor Design

The “type 1” Order consisted of a 38 mm wide by 43 mm high silver badge in the shape of a cogwheel, at center, a disc bordered along its entire outer diameter by panicles of wheat. Protruding from under the lower half of the central disc, a red enameled triangle pointing downwards. On the central disc in the background, a hydro electric dam, at center, a gilded hammer and sickle, at the top, a waving red banner bearing the inscription “Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь!”, “Proletarians of the World, unite!”. At the very bottom of the cogwheel, the relief inscription “USSR” (“СССР”) on a stylized horizontal shield bisected by a smaller cogwheel meshing into the larger one.

On the otherwise plain reverse, a recess at center bearing a threaded post, two rivets used to secure the hammer and sickle and the award serial number engraved on the lower portion opposite the “USSR” inscription. The Order was secured to clothing with a threaded screw and nut arrangement. The earlier nuts were 28 mm in diameter, later ones measured 32 mm.

The “type 2” Order also consisted of a silver badge in the shape of a cogwheel, it measured 38 mm wide by 44 mm high. At the center, a disc surrounded by a gilded wreath of oak leaves bearing the relief image of a hydro electric dam, below the dam, blue enameled water, at the center of the disc, the gilded hammer and sickle, from the inner left side of the disc, a gilded mast bearing a waving red enameled banner protruding from the central disc, covering the upper portion of the cogwheel and protruding past its outer upper edge on which “USSR” (“СССР”) is inscribed in gilded letters.

The Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin (or Орден Ленина in Russian) was the highest civilian decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union. It was established in 1930.

The Order of Lenin (or Орден Ленина, Orden Lenina in Russian) was the highest civilian decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union. It was named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution and established by the Central Executive Committee on April 6, 1930. The Order of Lenin was awarded:

  • To civilians, for outstanding services provided to the State.
  • To members of the armed forces, for exemplary service.
  • To those who strengthened peace and promoted friendship and cooperation between peoples.
  • To those with meritorious services to the Soviet state and Soviet society.
  • From 1944 to 1957, the Order of Lenin was also used to reward 25 years of conspicuous military service.

The first Order of Lenin was awarded on 23 May 1930 to the newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. The Order could also be bestowed on cities, companies, factories, regions, military units, and ships – something that allowed them to apply the name of the Order into their official titles. The initial recipients also included three pilots, five industrial companies, and the Secretary to the Central Executive Committee Avel Enukidze. The first person to receive the Order was the test pilot Valery Chkalov in 1936. Among the first foreign recipients were a German and four US citizens, who received the Order of Lenin for helping in the reconstruction of Soviet agriculture and industry.

The Order of Lenin could be awarded multiple times. For example, Nikolay Patolichev, longtime Minister for Foreign Trade of the USSR, and Dmitriy Ustinov, Defence Minister in 1976–1984, received it 11 times.

Notable Recipients of the Order of Lenin

The Order of Lenin was awarded to the following notable individuals:

  • Fidel Castro (President of Cuba)
  • Yuri Gagarin (Cosmonaut, first human being in outer space)
  • Kim Il-sung (President of North Korea, awarded 2 times)
  • Nelson Mandela (Mandela, who led South Africa into democracy and out of apartheid, was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1990, the same year he was released from prison)
  • Ramón Mercader (Spanish NKVD agent who assassinated Leon Trotsky)
  • Joseph Stalin (1949)

The Order of Lenin Medal Design

The Order of Lenin badge was originally worn by screwback on the left chest and without a ribbon. From 943 on, it was worn as a medal suspended from a red ribbon with pairs of yellow stripes at the edges. There are four designs for the Order of Lenin medal:

Order of Lenin First Design (1930-1932)

The first design of the Order of Lenin (awarded between 1930–1932) is a round badge with a central disc featuring Vladimir Lenin‘s profile surrounded by smokestacks, a tractor, and a building, possibly a power plant. It was sculpted by Pyotr Tayozhny and Ivan Shadr based on sketches by Ivan Dubasov. It was made by Goznak of silver with some lightly gold-plated features. A thin red-enameled border and a circle of wheat panicles surround the disc. At the top is a gold-plated hammer and sickle emblem, and at the bottom are the Russian initials for “USSR” (СССР) in red enamel. There were only about 800 of this design minted.

USSR Order of Lenin Type 1

Order of Lenin Second Design (1934-1936)

The second design of the Order of Lenin was awarded from 1934 until 1936. This design consists of a solid gold badge, featuring a silver-plated disc bearing Lenin’s portrait. The disc is surrounded by two golden panicles of wheat, and a red flag with the inscription “LENIN” in Cyrillic script (ЛЕНИН). On the left is a red star and at the bottom is the “hammer and sickle” emblem. Both are done in red enamel.

USSR Order of Lenin Type 2

Order of Lenin Third Design (1936-1943)

The third design of the Order of Lenin was awarded from 1936 until 1943. The design is the same as the second type, except that the central disc is enameled gray and Lenin’s portrait is made with a separate piece of platinum.

USSR Order of Lenin Type 3

Order of Lenin Fourth Design (1943-1991)

The fourth design of the Order of Lenin was awarded from 1943 until 1991. This version maintained the visual design elements of the third model, featuring the portrait of Vladimir Lenin. However, a significant change was the method of wearing the medal. While all previous versions were attached to clothing via a screwback mechanism, the fourth design was suspended from a ribbon, making it more adaptable and easier to wear on various types of clothing.

The ribbon used for the Order of Lenin was a red silk moiré ribbon, reflecting the symbolic color of the Soviet Union and its Communist Party. The medal itself retained its distinctive features: a gold badge with a platinum portrait of Lenin, surrounded by a wreath of wheat ears, a red banner, and a hammer and sickle at the bottom. This design was meant to symbolize the unity of the Soviet people and their dedication to the principles of communism.

USSR & Russian Medals and Awards - The Order of Lenin

What's the Value and Price of The Order of Lenin?

The Order of Lenin is a very rare and well-respected award. As such, prices for this medal can range from U$ 1000 for types 4 and 5, to over U$ 50,000 for type 1. These prices can get higher too if the medals come with the accompanying documents.

The Order of the Red Star

The Order of the Red Star (or Орден Краснoй Звезды in Russian) was a military decoration of the Soviet Union established on 6 April 1930.

The Order of the Red Star (or Орден Краснoй Звезды in Russian) was a military decoration of the Soviet Union established on 6 April 1930 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

It was awarded to soldiers of the Soviet Army, Navy, border and internal security forces, employees of the State Security Committee of the USSR, as well as NCOs and officers of the bodies of internal affairs; to units, warships, associations, enterprises, institutions and organizations; as well as to military personnel of foreign countries.

It was common for individuals to receive this prestigious award multiple times, with many being honored two, three, four, five, or even six times.

The Order of the Red Star Medal Criteria

The Order was awarded for personal courage and bravery in battle, successful operations of military units and formations, outstanding service in ensuring public safety and the security of the State Border of the USSR, exemplary performance of special command tasks and other outstanding deeds committed in peacetime, merit in the development of military science and technologies used in training of the Armed Forces of the USSR or merit in strengthening the defense capabilities of the socialist community.

In some cases, the Order of the Red Star was also used as a long service award (from 1944 to 1958) to mark fifteen years of service in the military, state security, or police.  Its statute was only defined on May 1930, amended on 7 May 1936, 19 June 1943, 26 February 1946, 15 October 1947, 16 December 1947 and by decree No 1803-X of 28 March 1980.

Between 1930 and 1941, the Order of Lenin was awarded approximately 22,000 times. However, during the four years of the Great Patriotic War, the number of awards surged dramatically to nearly 3,000,000. In total, from its inception in 1930 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Order of Lenin was conferred around 3,870,000 times.

A 1946 Soviet 60 kopek stamp featuring the Order of the Red Star.
A 1946 Soviet 60 kopek stamp featuring the Order of the Red Star.
Lieutenant Colonel Anatoly Lebed, pictured wearing his three Orders of the Red Star earned during his service in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Colonel Anatoly Lebed, pictured wearing his three Orders of the Red Star earned during his service in Afghanistan.
Fragment of the memorial to internationalist soldiers (Mykolaiv).
Fragment of the memorial to internationalist soldiers (Mykolaiv).

The Order of the Red Star Medal Design

The Order of the Red Star is a red enameled 47mm to 50mm wide (depending on the variant) silver five pointed star. It was designed by artist Vasily Kupriyanov and sculptor Vladimir Golenetsky. 

In the center of the obverse is an oxidized silver shield bearing the image of a Red Army soldier wearing an overcoat and carrying a rifle, along the shield’s entire circumference, a narrow band bearing the Communist motto in relief, «Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь!» “Workers of the world, unite!“, the band below the soldier bore the relief inscription “USSR” («СССР»). Below the shield, the hammer and sickle also of oxidized silver.

The otherwise plain reverse bore the maker’s mark and the award serial number. The Order was attached to clothing by a threaded stud and screw attachment.

The ribbon of the Order of the red Star was a 24mm wide silk moiré dark red with a 5mm wide central silver stripe.

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The Order of the Sacred Treasure

The Order of the Sacred Treasure (or 瑞宝章 Zuihō-shō) is the most widely conferred Japanese order. It was established in 1888 by Emperor Meiji.

The Order of the Sacred Treasure (or 瑞宝章 Zuihō-shō in Japanese) is the most widely conferred Japanese order and it was established on 4 January 1888 by Emperor Meiji and originally called the Order of Meiji. It is awarded for both civil and military merit, though of a lesser degree than that required for the conferment of the Order of the Rising Sun.

It was initially awarded in eight classes, but since 2003 this has been changed to six classes (the lowest two medals were abolished that year). The Order is awarded to those who have made distinguished achievements in research fields, business industries, healthcare, social work, state/local government fields or the improvement of life for handicapped/impaired persons.

Although the order was originally only given to males, it’s been made available to women since 1919. Conventionally, a diploma is prepared to accompany the insignia of the order. In some rare instances, the personal signature of the emperor will have been added.

The Order of the Secret Treasure Design

The insignia of the order incorporates symbols for the three imperial treasures: the Yata Mirror, so sacred that not even the Emperor is allowed to look at it; the Yasakani Jewel, which is made of the finest jade; and the Emperor’s personal sword.

The star for the Grand Cordon and Second Class has two sets of Maltese crosses, one in gilt and one placed diagonally in silver.

The badge for the first through sixth classes is a Maltese cross, in gilt (1st–4th classes), gilt and silver (5th class) and silver (6th class), with white enameled rays (representing the sword). The central disc is blue, bearing an eight-pointed silver star (representing the mirror), surrounded by a wreath with red-enameled dots (representing the jewel).

Until 2003, when it was abolished, the badge of the seventh and eighth classes was an eight-pointed silver medal, partially gilded for the 7th class.

The Order of the Rising Sun

The Order of the Rising Sun (Kyokujitsu-shō) was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government, established in 1875.

The Order of the Rising Sun (旭日章 Kyokujitsu-shō) is a Japanese order established on 10 April 1875 by decree of the Council of State. The Order was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government.

The order is conferred upon those who have made distinguished achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their field, development in welfare, or preservation of the environment. Prior to the end of World War II, it was also awarded for exemplary military service. 

While it is the third highest order bestowed by the Japanese government, it is however generally the highest ordinarily conferred order. The highest Japanese order, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, is reserved for heads of state or royalty, while the second highest order, the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, is mostly reserved for politicians.

The awarding of the Order is administered by the Decoration Bureau of the Cabinet Office headed by the Japanese Prime Minister. It is awarded in the name of the Emperor and can be awarded posthumously.

The Order of the Rising Sun Medal Classes

The Order was awarded in nine classes until 2003 and from then on in six classes.

  • ribbon bar 1st Class: Grand Cordon
  • ribbon bar 2nd Class: Gold and Silver Star (Rays, Principal Grade)
  • ribbon bar 3rd Class: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (Cordon, Middle Grade)
  • ribbon bar 4th Class: Gold Rays with Rosette (Cordon, Junior Grade)
  • ribbon bar 5th Class: Gold and Silver Rays (Double Rays)
  • ribbon bar 6th Class: Silver Rays (Single Ray)
  • ribbon bar 7th Class: Green Paulownia Leaves
  • ribbon bar 8th Class: White Paulownia Leaves

The Order of the Rising Sun Medal Design

The badge features rays of sunlight from the rising sun. The design symbolizes energy as powerful as the rising sun in parallel with the “rising sun” concept of Japan (“Land of the Rising Sun“).

The star for the Grand Cordon and Second Class is a silver star of eight points, each point having three alternating silver rays; the central emblem is identical to the badge. It is worn on the left chest for the Grand Cordon, on the right chest for the 2nd Class.

The badge for the Grand Cordon to Sixth Classes is an eight-pointed badge bearing a central red enameled sun disc, with gilt points (1st–4th Classes), with four gilt and four silver points (5th Class), or with silver points (6th Class); each point comprises three white enameled rays. It is suspended from three enameled paulownia leaves on a ribbon in white with red border stripes, worn as a sash from the right shoulder for the Grand Cordon, as a necklet for the 2nd and 3rd Classes and on the left chest for the 4th to 6th Classes (with a rosette for the 4th Class).

The badge for the Seventh and Eighth Classes consisted of a silver medal in the shape of three paulownia leaves, enameled for the 7th Class and plain for the 8th Class. Both were suspended on a ribbon, again in white with red border stripes, and worn on the left chest. Both classes were abolished in 2003 and replaced by the Order of the Paulownia Flowers, a single-class order that now ranks above the Order of the Rising Sun.

The ribbon of the Order references the colors of the Japanese flag (a red disc on a white background) but are represented in stripes (a central large white stripe and smaller red ones on the edges).

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The Order of the Paulownia Flowers

The Order of the Paulownia Flowers is an order presented by the Japanese government and established in 1888 during the Meiji Restoration.

The Order of the Paulownia Flowers (桐花章 Tōka shō) is an order presented by the Japanese government and established in 1888 during the Meiji Restoration as the highest award in the Order of the Rising Sun.

The only grade of the order is Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers (旭日桐花大綬章 Kyokujitsu tōka daijushō), which ranks higher than the Order of the Rising Sun but lower than the Order of the Chrysanthemum.

Traditionally, the order has been conferred upon eminent statesmen, former prime ministers and senior cabinet ministers, diplomats and judges. It may be conferred posthumously, and is the highest regularly conferred honor in the Japanese honors system.

The Order of the Paulownia Flowers Medal Design

The badge for the Order is a gilt cross with white enameled rays, bearing a central emblem of a red enameled sun disc surrounded by red rays, and with three paulownia blossoms between each arm of the cross. It is suspended from three enameled paulownia leaves on a sash in red with white border stripes, and is worn on the right shoulder.

The star for the Order is the same as the badge, but without the paulownia leaves suspension. It is worn on the left chest.

The Order of the Chrysanthemum

The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum is is the highest possible honor a Japanese citizen can be awarded during his or her lifetime.

The Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum (大勲位菊花章 Dai-kun’i kikka-shō, literally Grand Order of the Capitulum of the Chrysanthemums) is Japan’s highest order.

The Grand Cordon of the Order was established in 1876 by Emperor Meiji of Japan; the collar of the Order was added on 4 January 1888. Unlike its European counterparts, the order may be conferred posthumously. Apart from the Imperial Family, only six Japanese citizens have ever been decorated with the collar in their lifetimes. Today, only the reigning Emperor holds this dignity as sovereign of the order; however, exceptions are made for foreign heads of state, who can be awarded the collar in friendship.

The grand cordon is the highest possible honor a Japanese citizen can be awarded during his or her lifetime.

The Order of the Chrysanthemum Medal Design

The star of the order is similar to the badge, but in silver, without the chrysanthemum suspension, and with an eight-pointed gilt medallion (with white-enameled rays and red-enameled sun disc) placed at the center. It is worn on the left chest.

The badge of the order is a four-pointed gilt badge with white-enameled rays; the center bears a red enameled sun disc. On each of the four corners of the badge is a yellow-enameled chrysanthemum blossom with green-enameled chrysanthemum leaves. The badge is suspended on a yellow-enameled chrysanthemum, either on the collar or on the grand cordon.

The collar of the order is made of gold, and features the kanji for “Meiji”, in classic form, indicating the era of the order’s establishment. It is decorated with gold chrysanthemum blossoms and green-enameled leaves. The sash of the grand cordon of the order is red with dark blue border stripes. It is worn on the right shoulder.

The Order of the Golden Kite

The Order of the Golden Kite was an order of the Empire of Japan established in 1890 by Emperor Meiji “in commemoration of Jimmu Tennō”.

  • Time Period: Pre-WW1
  • Institution: 12 February 1890
  • Country: Medals from Japan Japan

The Order of the Golden Kite (金鵄勲章 Kinshi Kunshō) was an order of the Empire of Japan established on 12 February 1890 by Emperor Meiji “in commemoration of Jimmu Tennō, the Romulus of Japan”.

The Order of the Golden Kite was an exclusively military award, conferred for bravery, leadership or command in battle. It ranked just below the Order of the Chrysanthemum in precedence and was the military equivalent of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers; therefore, it could be considered analogous to the military division of the Order of the Bath in the United Kingdom. The first three classes were roughly equivalent to the three divisions of the Order of the Bath, the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh classes were analogous to the DSO, MC/DSC, DCM/CGM and DSM/MM, respectively.

The order consisted of seven classes. Enlisted rank soldiers were eligible for the 7th–5th classes, non-commissioned officers were eligible for the 6th–4th classes, junior officers for the 5th–3rd classes, field grade officers for the 4th–2nd classes and general officers for the 3rd-1st classes. A total of 1,067,492 Order of the Golden Kite awards were made over the history of the order, most of them in the two lower 6th and 7th classes. Only 41 of the 1st class and 201 of the 2nd class were awarded.

The Order was officially abolished by the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers of Occupied Japan in 1947 after World War II.

The Order of the Golden Kite Medal Design

The badge for the Order is a gilt cross with white enameled rays, bearing a central emblem of a red enameled sun disc surrounded by red rays, and with three paulownia blossoms between each arm of the cross. It is suspended from three enameled paulownia leaves on a sash in red with white border stripes, and is worn on the right shoulder.

The star for the Order is the same as the badge, but without the paulownia leaves suspension. It is worn on the left chest.