TacHel

Take some pics!! They'd be a great addition to this post.

I just found myself one like yours but dated 1999... As you mention, he now looks nothing like King Albert... I think he looks more like Tom Jones! http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-3030-0-44774200-1365176577.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_04_2013/post-3030-0-36560000-1365177120.jpg

You could honestly fill a wing of an art gallery with your items...

Again, sweeeet!

Sweet acquisition! They look great!

My heartfelt condolences.

This was done in response to years of lobbying from labor unions and workers' groups, don't let the media turn this into what it isn't... Putin signed the decree that was laid on his desk, any other president would've done the same. They also mention his reintroduction of the red star for the military, it never left... Bit of freelancing BS by the journalist, the unfortunately ever present media sensationalism.

Wow! What a set!

Actually, it does have one... But for some really weird reason, whenever an award is for people that "might" be doing something classified, they don't publish it. Many FSB and a few MVD awards have unpublished establishment orders... Drives me nuts! Same for commemorative badges, it's often VERY DIFFICULT to find the ministerial or departmental orders, I've found dozens but only after months and months of searching Russian legal and governmental web sites.

One major point that must be taken into consideratrion about the design of the Pushkin medal... Look who it is awarded to! Awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation with at least 20 years in socio-humanitarian activities for achievements in the arts and culture, education, humanities and literature, for great contribution to the study and preservation of our cultural heritage, in the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and peoples, for the creation of highly artistic images. These folks care very little about official heraldry and the majority probably prefer a more artistic design like this than something that looks military...

I just got this beauty in, decoration for "Honoured Fellow" of the Department of Law Enforcement in Restricted Areas and Sensitive Sites. It's an award of the Interior Ministry (MVD). An attractive, beautifully constructed heavy piece with fine detailing, IMHO definitely the highest quality award put out by the MVD to date. I've spent hours trying to find the ministerial order establishing it, I believe it was around 2008, but have only found ministerial orders awarding it to recipients... If anybody has time on their hands and the language skills, I'd be most grateful if somebody found it.

Or in English: The Order of St. George is the highest military award of the Russian Federation. Awarded to top and senior military officers, for the conduct of military operations to protect the Fatherland in the case of attack by an external enemy which resulted in the complete defeat of the enemy, for the execution of combat and other operations in other states aimed at restoring international peace and security, for being a model of military science with feats that exemplify military prowess, who were previously awarded state awards of the Russian Federation for distinction in combat. It is awarded in four classes: The Order of Saint George I and II classes are composed of both have a star and a cross, the III and IV classes only have a cross. The Order is awarded sequentially from the IV to the I class. The cross of the Order of Saint George I class is worn on a shoulder sash which passes over the right shoulder. The cross of the Order of Saint George II and III class are worn on the neck ribbon. The cross of the Order of Saint George IV class is worn on the pentagonal mount on the left side of the chest and is located in front of the other orders and medals. Recipients of the Order I or II class also wear a breast star.

Nick's correct in his assessment of the Pushkin medal. There was no "botched" design (for lack of a better word), this is an actual self portrait and it has proved quite fitting to the recipients of the award.

OUCH!! Man oh man! I wish I had the time to write a translated transcript... DANG!

Looks awesome!

They're not an automatic timed award. Awarded to military and civilian personnel of components and units of Border Guards, for distinction in the performance of military duties with the highest rates in the service and training that have made a concrete contribution to the protection and defense of the state borders, strengthening military discipline and education personnel.

I just got the last 2 in. Below are the old pre 2003 Border Guard Service awards with the large eagles with the out spread wings besides their current FSB Border Guard Service replacements with the smaller upturn winged eagles bearing the green crosses. Top left are for service in the Far East, top right for service in the Arctic, bottom for service in the Caucasus.

Interior Ministry Medal "For Merit in Aviation" (Медаль «За Заслуги в Авиации») Established on 11 November 2011 by order #970. But nobody can find the write up!

For some reason, some Russian Federation ministries, departments and agencies have yet to publish some of the orders establishing some of their individual awards. For example, the Defense Ministry hasn't published the orders establishing many of it's commemorative badges although they are known to exist. Likewise for the FSB, FSO and MVD. I've managed to find a few ones purely by accident deep in Russian legal web sites but even our Russian colleagues are having a really hard time in finding many of these. This thread will be used to post such awards with unpublished orders in the hope that somebody somehow finds one or some of them to share with the membership. I know for one that I would be quite grateful at any help in this matter! I will delete the posts as their individual orders are found... I hope to be deleting soon!

Wow! Thanks Igor! Great refence site!

I'm wondering though... Did the Aussies issue one? The British variant maybe?

According to Wiki (so bare in mind this is tentative)... Only the UK, Canada and the Caribean realms struck a medal, so 3 different versions. Have a looksee here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_II_Diamond_Jubilee_Medal