Original Item. Only One Available. The Imperial Order of Saint Prince Vladimir was an Imperial Russian order established on 3 October 1782 by Empress Catherine II in memory of the deeds of Saint Vladimir, the Grand Prince and the Baptizer of the Kievan Rus'.

The order had four degrees and was awarded for continuous civil and military service. People who had been awarded with the St. Vladimir Order for military merits bore it with a special fold on the ribbon – "with a bow". There was a certain hierarchy of Russian Orders. According to this, the First Class Order of Saint Vladimir was the second one—the first was the Saint George Order—by its significance. According to Russian laws on nobility, people who were awarded the Order of Saint Vladimir had the rights of hereditary nobility until the Emperor's decree of 1900 was issued. After this, only three first classes of the order gave such a right, the last one granting only personal nobility.

This is a well-worn example of the 4th Class medal itself, without the ribbon. The medal is a red enamelled cross pattée with black enamelled borders, and a black enamelled central disc bearing a crowned red and ermine mantle with the monogram of Saint Vladimir. The medal measures roughly 1½ x 1¾” and is stamped with a 56 on the ring, denoting it is made from Russian Gold. The enamel coat of arms in the center of the medal is turned 90 degrees for some reason, and we were not able to turn it back. The date on the reverse is turned roughly 45 degrees. One of the sword blades appears to be bending as shown. The red enamel is chipping a bit on the front as shown.

A well-worn example of an incredibly scarce medal, ready for further research and display.