Help to identify Imperial Badge

[totheboss]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum and am looking for some help to to identify a Inperial Ruusian Badge instituted on the 7th December 1912 and looks similar the the badge in the photo.



Hope someone might be able to help.

Greets from Australia

Alex

[ottomaton]

In the center that is definately the cypher of Nicholas II. It looks exactly like that on all of the Imperial Russian porcelain. His grandfather's is the same except it's blue and has only the single I (for obvious reasons). The badge says something about the earth and deeds, so it is a Agricultural Merit Medal?

Your best bet would probably be to contact someone who is more Russia oriented. Two Suggestions:


http://www.netdialogue.com/yy/main.htm

This website is run from Russia in Russian and English by a medals collector. The "links" page will take you to his homepage where you can contact him. He doesn't have your medal listed but he does have some pretty obscure stuff like from the Chechenian Republic of Ichkeria which can't be too popular in Russia and from the Tuvinian Arat Republic which I had to look up to know what it was.

and

http://www.romanovrussia.com

The second might be more problematic. It's a commercial site and I've never spoken to the guy who runs it so he might not be inclined to help. but the guy consistently comes up with the most amazing Imperial Russian stuff to sell, things like Imperially commissioned Faberge so he has some sort of special knowlege and direct Russian connections.

[totheboss]

Hello and thank you Ottomaton

Yes it looks like a Agricultural Merit Medal

Here is a translation from the service record entry about the badge

"ALL-GRACIOUSLY pleased on the 5th day of May in the year 1913, by the Highest foundation of 7th December of the year 1912 the badge of distiunction in reward of separate labor for organization of land utilization."

So Imperial bestowal of some sort of badge ("Znak") for private (?) efficiency in use of land-- presumably agricultural.

But have not be able to find and information on the Badge, although it looks a lot like the one in the photo except the one in the photo is for the year 1911 am hoping to find out any information on the 1912 badge.

Thank you for the leads.

Kind regards
Alex

[georgecl]

HI Alex,

The date of 1911 is for the start of the land use regulations
The badge you pictured is the badge instututed on Dec 7 1912.

Heres the scan from my reference book



George

[totheboss]

THANKS! George,

You solved the puzzle, I missed this one at the New York auction, placed a mail bid at $1750.00 and it slod for $1800.00 just my luck.
By the way what is he book you got the information from wouldn't mind getting that one.
With much thanks and as always CHEERS from Australia
Alex

[georgecl]

HI Alex,

Thats too bad! Auctions can be fun though.

The book is Badges of Russian, By S.B. Patrikeev, and A.D. Bojnovich.
1995 Vol 1. There is another same name by only lists Regimentals..

I think it runs approx 185.00.. but maybe you can find one on ebay..

I'll still keep my eyes open for one.

George L