A Rare Russian Imperial Silver and Enamel Badge 1912

Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Headquarters of the Guards and the St. Petersburg military district.

The badge is designed as the star of the Order of St. Andrew with conjoined ciphers of emperors Alexander I and Nicholas II, applied to its center.

The center medallion of the star (beneath the ciphers) is enameled with a black Russian Imperial eagle with the cross of St. Andrew

and the motto of the Order of St. Andrew (the highest ranking award in the Russian Empire) – ЗА ВЕРУ И ВЕРНОСТЬ / FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY.

The horizontal rays of the star are applied with gilded dates 1812 – 1912, the vertical rays – with a gilded Imperial crown

and a gilded Roman numeral ‘ I I ‘ (a part of the Nicholas II cipher) hanging on an aiguillette of the Guards.

The badge is marked on the back with 84 zolotnik old Russian silver standard (875 silver) / St. Petersburg assay mark and maker’s initials ‘ Г.К ‘.

Reference literature: S. Patrikeev, A.Boynovich. Badges of Russia, volume II, page 74, No. 3.5.3

Width 48 mm (1 7/8 in.)

A finely crafted Imperial badge of a very elaborate design