Order of the Red Star
Орден Красной Звезды — Established April 6, 1930
History
The Order of the Red Star was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on April 6, 1930. It was awarded to military personnel of the Soviet Army, Navy, and border and internal security troops for “exceptional service in the cause of the defense of the USSR in both war and peace.”
The order was designed by artist V.K. Kupriyanov and depicts a Red Army soldier with a rifle against a five-pointed red enameled star. The reverse bears the inscription “USSR” (СССР) and the award’s serial number. Over 3.8 million were awarded between 1930 and 1991, making it one of the most commonly encountered Soviet orders — yet certain early variants are genuinely rare.
The Order of the Red Star was one of the most widely awarded Soviet military decorations of World War II, given for personal bravery, successful leadership, and outstanding organizational work. It was worn on the right side of the chest, below the Order of the Patriotic War.
Variants & Identification
The Order of the Red Star exists in multiple manufacturing variants, documented in the standard references by Dmitry Markov (catalog number 16.x) and Paul McDaniel. Key authentication markers include the mint mark style, attachment method (screwpost vs. pin), and star edge profile.
| Markov # | Variant | Period | Key Identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16.1 | Type 1 | 1930–1936 | Screwpost back, early production, no mint mark. Rare. |
| 16.2.1 | Type 2, “Early transition piece” | 1936–1939 | Transition from Type 1 manufacturing. Scarce. |
| 16.2.2 | Type 2, “Mondvor reverse, large mint mark” | 1936–1941 | MONDVOR (Московский Монетный Двор) reverse stamp, large lettering. |
| 16.2.3 | Type 2, “Mondvor reverse, small mint mark” | 1936–1941 | Same as 16.2.2 but smaller MONDVOR stamp. |
| — | Type 2, “Mondvor reverse, medium mint mark” | 1936–1941 | Intermediate size. Not in Markov catalog. Documented by collectors. |
| 16.2.4 | Type 2, “Early Monetny Dvor, screwpost base” | 1941–1943 | Changed to “Monetny Dvor” mark. Still uses screwpost attachment. |
| 16.2.5 | Type 2, “Monetny Dvor, flat star edges” | 1943–1945 | Flat profile on star points. Wartime production. |
| 16.2.6 | Type 2, “Monetny Dvor, flared star edges” | 1945–1950s | Star points flare slightly outward. Post-war production. |
| 16.3 | Type 3 | 1950s–1991 | Mass production variant. Most commonly encountered. Pin attachment. |
Authentication Markers
- Screwpost vs. pin: Types 1 and 2 (through 16.2.4) use a screwpost back; Type 3 uses a pin attachment. A Type 1 with a pin back is a red flag.
- Mint mark: Look for MONDVOR (early) or MONETNY DVOR (later) on the reverse. No mint mark suggests Type 1 or a reproduction.
- Star edges: Flat edges (16.2.5) vs. flared edges (16.2.6) is a key wartime/post-war differentiator. Examine under magnification.
- Serial number: Authentic serial numbers are hand-engraved (not stamped) on early types. Later types are machine-stamped. Numbers below ~50,000 are pre-war and significantly more valuable.
- Enamel: Original red enamel shows characteristic micro-crazing under magnification. Bright, uniform enamel on an allegedly early piece is suspicious.
Serial Numbers in Our Collection
The following examples from our archive demonstrate variant identification through serial number ranges:
- S/N 137,575 — Type 2, screwpost base (Markov 16.2.4). Mid-war production, 1942–1943.
- S/N 2,837,595 — Type 2, flared star edges (Markov 16.2.6). Post-war production, late 1940s.
Type 3 (common): $15–$25 · Type 2 variants: $35–$55+ · Type 1: $200+ (rare)
References
- Markov, Dmitry. Russian and Soviet Military Awards. Catalog numbers 16.1–16.3.
- McDaniel, Paul & Schmitt, Paul J. The Comprehensive Guide to Soviet Orders and Medals.