In Russia at the time this decoration was made -before 1898- pogroms were rife and peasants were starving to death but the friends of the stupid tzar who led his Empire to destruction and communism were rewarded with that sort of terrific medal. This medal is representative of the Order of St Alexander Nevsky. The introduction of the Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky was planned by Russian Emperor Peter I of Russia and was established in Russia by Catherine I of Russia on May 21, 1725 in memory of the deeds of Saint Alexander Nevsky in defending Russia against foreign invaders.
It was originally awarded to distinguished Russian citizens who had served their country with honor, mostly through political or military service. Tolstoy states in Anna Karenina that the Order of St. Vladimir and Order of St. Andrew were higher honors. It was abolished in 1917 following the Bolshevik Revolution.
In 1942, the Soviet Union revive the order as a purely military decoration, and renamed it the Order of Alexander Nevsky.
It is a jewelled sash badge attributed to the workshop of Karl Hahn of St Petersburg. It measures 57.5mm (including suspension loop) x 52.5mm (about 2 inches) and is made in gold, circular and rose-cut diamonds and enamels, having the original obverse centre replaced with an unofficial medallion and surround of non-Christian pattern.Estimated between 30,000—50,000 GBP, it was sold including buyer's premium for 63,650 GBP ($ 97,600) in London in Fall 2008.
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