Imperial Russian Graduation(?) Badge

[USSR]

Hi all,

Can anybody tell me what kind of badge this is? Are they common or rare? I cant figure out what the tekst on the reverse says nor the roman (?) number of the front.

Thanks!

[USSR]

Anybody? 

[Mike McLellan]

I think the Roman numerals should read MCMVIII or 1908. I suspect that the jeweler didn't graduate from Roman Numeral School, and was afraid to ask his apprentice for advice. Just a guess. 

 

--I had to edit it twice before I got it right. But, I don't have an apprentice. 

Edited August 23, 2016 by Mike McLellan
Brain malfunction.

[USSR]

That still doesn't make sense because CXCVIII would be 198 ;-) But you might be right about the jeweler trying to put down 1908. Do you know what kind of badge this is? 

Edited August 23, 2016 by USSR

[Mike McLellan]

Nope. It's beautiful, though. 

[Claudius]

28 minutes ago, USSR said:

Do you know what kind of badge this is? 

It is trying to be an Imperial Russian jeton.  But I think this one is a bit too crude to be fake.  More likely a collector's copy.

[USSR]

Wow, ok... I would never have thought it was a copy! I thought it was beautifully made with very nice details. But I'm not into imperial stuff so I guess I could easily be fooled. Anyway, glad to know it isn't authentic so I won't have to burn my fingers on it ;-) 

[TacHel]

Here's a thought, could it perhaps identify a particular course serial, school or unit?  CI 18 ?  The oversized X might denote the actual beginning of the number?  I know I in Russian is и but heh...

Edited August 28, 2016 by TacHel

[USSR]

Could be, I have no idea. But apparently it is not authentic so maybe the faker hasn't been paying attention at school? ;-)

[Egorka]

The reverse translates to: "For good memory to dear ally". 

 

[USSR]

Thanks Egorka! Do you know this particular type of badge?

[Egorka]

Not really. The sword and caduceus is an atribute of 2nd Moscow cadet corps, I think. 

 

[Egorka]

This is a jeton (graduation badge) of the First Cadet Corps in Petrograd (1916). CIXVIII denotes graduation, not the year (see item 389 in the book scan).

Here it was on sale (lot 326) and was sold for 65000 RUB, which is like 1K USD or something. It is said to be rare one.

 

[USSR]

Wow, it looks just it... Maybe I should have bought it while I had the chance...Unfortunally I didn't because here somebody said it was a copy... 

[Claudius]

4 hours ago, USSR said:

Wow, it looks just it... Maybe I should have bought it while I had the chance...Unfortunally I didn't because here somebody said it was a copy... 

...and I still believe the Jetton you posted is a copy.  Look through a book on Jettons or look at what internet dealers have for sale.  (Dealers that have been around for several years and have 100% money back) and you will see a level of quality that I don't see on your piece.

[Egorka]

I don't know know about autenticity of that piece. Don't have experience to judge  

But did you ask for the exact weight and size of it?

 

[USSR]

• No, I didn't so I do not have the exact size and weight 
• you could very well be be right Claudius but I can't compare it because I can't find any on the web. If this one is a fake with not much details, I wonder how beautiful authentic ones look like