Attributes

• country

  Russia
• date of institution

  February 14, 1735
• makers

  Albert Keibel ; Eduard ; Wilhelm Keibel; Julius Keibel; Dmitri Osipov; Nichols & Plinke; Karl Schubert; Imanuel Pannasch (all from St. Petersburg); and other Russian makers. Russian awards were also manufactured by Austrian, German, French and other European makers.
• remarks

  The first type of the Order (instituted 1735; as Russian order since 1797- ca. 1820) featured red glass/crystal arms of the cross while the star were embroidered versions; the second type (ca. 1820-1917) featured enamelled arms of the cross, with in between the arms "broad" eagles (until ca.1850), with wings almost touching, while the star started to be manufactured in silver, silver gilt/Gold, with enamelled center. The later type (ca. 1850-1917) featured "slender" eagles between the arms, while the star continued to be manufactured in silver, silver gilt/Gold, with an enamelled center. This insignia could be awarded "with Diamonds" (and since ca. 1855, "with Crown", for exceptional Merit; "with Swords" for Military Merit; and with "imperial Eagle" in the center to non-Christians. Since the creation of the Order, the insignia of the order had undergone substantial variations in respect to size and design. The 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.