RUSSIA. Imperial Order of Saint Andrew Breast Star, Instituted 1699. EXTREMELY FINE. Diameter: 69 mm. Weight: 39.25 grams. Similar to Barac-641; Werlich-1087. Eight pointed multi-rayed silver star with central medallion of an Imperial Eagle on a gold background surrounded by a blue enameled band lettered FOR FAITH AND LOYALTY in Cyrillic letters, with a demi-wreath of green enameled leaves on the blue band below the eagle. The reverse is plain with a single hinged tunic pin stamped with the Imperial Warrant eagle, a script Keibel signature, and the standard domestic kokoshnik hallmark of the 1898 to 1908 period. All of this follows the usual standard, but there is also a makers medallion inscribed ПОСТАВЩИКЪ / (Imperial Eagle) / П.А. ФОКИНЪ / С. ПЕТЕРБУРГЪ. This translates as SUPPLIER / P.A. FOKIN / S. PETERSBURG. It is not believed that Fokin was ever authorized to produce this Order, but it is possible that at some time his firm did major repairs to this star and added his medallion to the reverse. While the star-shaped plaque appears to be in the style of the original Keibel issue with its finely beaded borders to all the rays, the lettering, eagle, wreath - and perhaps the blue enamel - are of a much lower quality than is typical for this issue, so it is speculated that as a jeweler Fokin did what he could to return a damaged order to its original appearance. While at first glance the order seems to be the standard issue, the legends and wreath are somewhat crudely cut, and are affixed to the surface of the blue enamel, not embedded in it. More importantly, the plaque, at 69 mm, is significantly smaller than expected - most often this Order is nearly 90 mm across opposing rays. Considering these deviances, it is possible that the piece is an early copy or perhaps a composite badge made from parts of different badges. Or it may well be an unrecorded variety of this seldom-seen Order. At any rate, certainly an intriguing example of this important Imperial Russian Order, and well worth consideration.
