Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Type III, Civil Division, Cross (with diamonds)

CATEGORY: Version

SKU: 01.RUS.0105.101.01.001

Estimated market value:

$100,000 USD

  • Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Type III, Civil Division, Cross (with diamonds)
  • Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky, Type III, Civil Division, Cross (with diamonds) Reverse

Estimated market value:

$100,000 USD

Attributes

  • Country
    Russia
  • Makers
    Russian, unknown
  • Composition
    Gold/Silver/Enamelled/Diamond
  • Inscription
    Rev: SA
  • Version Remarks
    Sold by Auktionshaus Andreas Thies for €96,000 in June 2016. Crosses "with Diamonds" were awarded on rare occasions for "Exceptional Services." Crosses "in Diamonds" varies greatly in size and quality of Diamonds, as well as in overall size and appearance. Value of higher-end Russian Orders varies greatly; value depends on period and quality of manufacture, maker and the provenance; as well as value of Russian currency and general economic situation in Russia. A very rare award.

Physical Description and Item Details


Cross in gold, diamonds and enamels. The medallion ring and the tsarist between the arms of the cross Double eagle set with cut diamonds. The cross arms in a particularily high-arched design with a translucent glow red enamel, paritally repaired. Medallions in fine Russian enamel painting, the double headed eagles finely chased on reverse. Impressive and beautifully worked original copy of Russian manufacture y extraordinary great rarity.

History


Conceived as a purely military order by Peter the Great, this Order was never awarded during the Czar's lifetime. Empress Catherine I began to award the Order after her husband's death, although she did not award it solely for military pursuits. The USSR adopted this Order and secularized it.

This Order could be awarded, at the sovereign's discretion, with diamonds to a particularly deserving individual. The badge could be worn on the left hip.

There were many variations of this badge, including a non-Christian version with the Russian Imperial Eagle in the centre, as opposed to a likeness of the saint. Saint Alexander Nevsky may be facing either the left or right.

The badge can either be surmounted by a small crown, a large red crown or a large golden crown.

The versions with red glass are an earlier model of the Order, and the versions with swords are awarded for military merit.

This Order has been awarded approximately 3,750 times since its inception in 1724.

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