The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Decorations · Soviet orders

Order of the Patriotic War: History, Grades and Collector’s Guide

Established 20 May 1942, by statute of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
Classes First and Second
Awarded to Red Army, Navy, NKVD troops and partisans, for heroic deeds
Later use Issued in 1985 to all surviving veterans for the 40th anniversary of victory
In the collection No pieces currently available

The Order of the Patriotic War was the first Soviet order created during the Second World War. It came in two classes and was awarded for heroic deeds against the invader. Many examples on the market are 1985 anniversary issues to veterans, which must be distinguished from wartime awards.

What Was the Order of the Patriotic War?

The statute was adopted on 20 May 1942 by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet and later amended several times. According to Museum Berlin-Karlshorst, it was awarded for heroic deeds to soldiers of the Red Army, the Navy, the NKVD troops and partisan units. The order has two classes; the first class combines gold and silver.

Who Awarded It, and Which Documents Go With It?

Wartime awards were recorded in award lists and the order book. In 1985, for the fortieth anniversary of victory, the order was issued to surviving veterans; these later awards have their own documents and serial ranges.

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.
  • Wartime or 1985: check the type, serial and documents to tell them apart.
  • Precious metal versions attract copies.

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

A wartime Order of the Patriotic War and a 1985 issue may look alike, but one records a deed and the other a lifetime as a veteran. A good description says which it is.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Order of the Patriotic War established?

On 20 May 1942.

How many classes did it have?

Two.

Why are there many 1985 examples?

The order was issued to surviving veterans for the 40th anniversary of victory in 1985.

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