Russia (USSR) Badge of the Order of Maternal Glory 1st class ND (1944-1995)

Russia (USSR) Badge of the Order of Maternal Glory 1st class ND (1944-1995)
28.17g. Ag 0.925.  59x33mm. Variant 4. Instituted by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on 8 July 1944; the statute approved on 18 August 1944, with later amendments in 1947, 1973, and 1980. Awarded to mothers who gave birth to and raised seven, eight, or nine children, upon the youngest child reaching the age of one year and the others remaining alive. The order had three classes: — III Class – for seven children, — II Class – for eight children, — I Class – for nine children. The order was worn on the left side of the chest, above other Soviet decorations. The silver badge (average weight about 21 g) shows a mother with a child beside a banner inscribed “МАТЕРИНСКАЯ СЛАВА” (Maternal Glory) and a white shield with “СССР” and a red star. The 1st Class has a red-enameled banner and gilded leaves; the 2nd Class, blue enamel and silver leaves; the 3rd Class, unenameled banner and shield. Suspended from a white-enameled bow with blue stripes — one, two, or three according to class. Designed by Ivan Dubasov, chief artist of Goznak; produced by the Moscow Mint. The first awards were made on 6 December 1944. By 1983, more than 4 million decorations had been issued; by 1.