Order of St. Anne, Type II (Ca.1820-1917), Military Division, I Class Cross

SKU: 01.RUS.0113.201.01

Estimated market value:

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  • Order of St. Anne, Type II, Military Division, I Class Cross (in gold)
  • Order of St. Anne, Type II, Military Division, I Class Cross (in gold) Reverse

Attributes

  • country
    Russia
  • date of institution
    February 14, 1735
  • makers
    Albert Keibel ; Eduard ; Wilhelm Keibel; Julius Keibel; Dmitri Osipov; Nichols & Plinke; Karl Schubert; Imanuel Pannasch (all from St. Petersburg); and other Russian makers. Russian awards were also manufactured by Austrian, German, French and other European makers.
  • remarks
    Cross measures approximately 58x58mm, and is worn suspended from the sash. Insignia "With Swords" started to be officially awarded after 1855. Prior to 1855, military service was recognized with a ribbon being arranged in "a bow" fashion. There are many period instances of swords being added later to the cross. Value depends on period and quality of manufacture, and the maker. There are minor variations with the size and design of the cross. Swords are pierced through the center, and often hallmarked. Value of higher-end Russian Orders varies greatly; value depends on period and quality of manufacture, and the maker; as well as value of the Russian currency and general economic situation in Russia.

History


The Order of St. Anne was founded in memory of Schleswig-Holstein's wife Anna Petrovna (daughter of Peter the Great). Emperor Paul I established the Order as purely Russian. It was initially awarded for distinguished civil merit, and was expanded as a military award for war service after 1855.

The award was conferred by Duke Frederick of Schleswig-Holstein in memory of his wife Anna Petrovna, and was not considered a Russian award. The Type I Order was awarded only one Colonel, the Col. E.I. Vlastov.

The insignia of St. Anne on the badge and the cross on the star was changed to the Imperial Eagle when awarded to non-Christians.

The reverse features the first letters of the Order's motto, "AMANTIBUS, JUSTITIAM, PIETATEM, FIDEM."

The Order grades which have black enamel instead of red enamel on the arms, are early versions of this Order. They are referred to as "Black Annes" and were a popular version awarded in the late 1800s.

In 1815, Emperor Alexander I added a IV Class Badge to the Order, which was strictly awarded for military merit.

From 1796 to 1828, the I and II Class Badges have versions that are decorated with brilliants. After 1828, I and II Class Badges with brilliants were only awarded to
foreign dignitaries.

In 1828, a bow ribbon was added to the III Class Badge to award men for military acts of valour.

Crowns were added as a version design element to the I and II Classe awards from 1828 to 1874.

In 1844, the Order was made conferrable upon non-Christians. On these awards, the obverse image of St. Anne was replaced with an image of the Imperial Eagle.

The Military Division version of Class I and II were added in 1855, and feature the addition of intersecting swords.

Beginning in 1857, the swords intersecting the III Class military award were moved to surmount the medal.

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Versions

  • Price

    $8,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    58mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    A scarce award.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $15,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    50mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    I Class Military Cross sold by D. Markov/ The New York Sale in 2008 for $28,000.

  • View Item
  • Price

    $12,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    58mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    On Non-Christian version, the center medallion features a Russian Imperial eagle, instead of the Saint Anne. A rare award

  • View Item
  • Price

    $15,000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    58mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    Awards with "black enamels" (in fact dark red, or rarely dark blue) were in fashion ca. 1860-1880, and always obtained as "private purcha...

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  • Price

    $2,000 USD

  • Composition

    Silver/Gilt/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    58x58mm

  • Maker

    Continental European makers

  • Version Remarks

    These crosses were manufactured in Continental Europe, 1920-1930s period, for Russian military white émigrés who emigrated to Europe and ...

  • View Item
  • Price

    $2000 USD

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    58mm

  • Maker

  • Version Remarks

    This example is a Rothe Copy (1925-1939 period).

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  • Price

    N/A

  • Composition

    Gold/Enamelled

  • Inscription

  • Size

    52mm x 57mm

  • Maker

    Eduard

  • Version Remarks

    Sold by Hermann Historica Auctioneers, Munich for €10,000 in May 2019.

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