The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Decorations · Soviet orders

Order of the Red Star: History, Grades and Collector’s Guide

Established 1930
Classes One
Awarded for Military merit, in war and peace
Typical paperwork Order book; award certificate
In the collection No pieces currently available

The Order of the Red Star was one of the most widely awarded Soviet military orders, given to officers and soldiers for merit in combat and in service. Its large red-enamelled star with a soldier in the centre is one of the most recognisable Soviet decorations.

What Was the Order of the Red Star?

The order was established in 1930 and awarded in a single class. During the Second World War it was conferred in very large numbers on officers and soldiers for merit in combat, and it continued to be awarded until the end of the USSR. The central medallion shows a Red Army soldier with a rifle. Museum Berlin-Karlshorst holds an example from the 1940s.

Who Awarded It, and Which Documents Go With It?

The award was recorded in the recipient’s order book and in personnel records. Award certificates and order books are often found together with the order.

What Should Collectors Watch For?

  • Serial numbers on Soviet orders can be checked against the award record and the recipient’s order book; a missing or altered number is a warning sign.
  • Enamel damage is common and should be described.
  • Screw-back types help with dating.

Legal note. Trade in Soviet state awards is restricted in the Russian Federation, where buying and selling state decorations is a criminal offence, and export of historical items from Russia and other former Soviet states is controlled. Rules elsewhere differ; check the law in your country and in the country of origin before buying or shipping.

Collector’s Note

The Red Star is the Soviet counterpart to the most common Western bravery awards: widely given, but each one tied to a person through its number.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Order of the Red Star established?

In 1930.

How many classes did it have?

One.

Who received it?

Officers and soldiers, for military merit.

Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts of the Soviet period for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology, and it is written in memory of the victims of political repression and war.

References & Further Reading