What is the name of the medal for the defense of Leningrad? What does the sign look like?

The medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was awarded to heroes who underwent combat trials in the hottest spots, and to individuals who took part in the defense of the city now known as St. Petersburg.

The state award was established in 1943 and became one of the first military medals of the Soviet Union. Similar medals were also issued for Stalingrad and Sevastopol.

Story

In September 1942, the Soviet Union petitioned for the establishment of a government award. The famous artist Moskalev received the honor of designing the model of the medal. He developed a unique design project, after which the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was established.

A. A. Barkhin, B. G. Barkhin and Kogisser also presented their models.

Who was awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad"

In addition to this you also received:

Workers.

Teachers who, despite hunger and cold, continued to work and thereby distract the children from the horror that was happening around them.

Builders.

Civilians who did their best to defend the city. Those who, without any military or other training, fought for the lives of their relatives, neighbors and simply residents of the city.

Doctors who worked not only on the battlefield and saved the wounded, but also those who helped the residents of the city.

All military personnel awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" received an award for their efforts while serving in In total, more than half a million siege survivors were awarded during the war. By 1995, another 900 thousand people received awards and the total number was 1,470,000 heroes.

Today, the museum of the siege presents all the heroes who received the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad.” The list of awardees consists of 6 volumes.

Description of the medal

First, the medal was cast from a rare alloy of brass. Since this was the most significant government award, every effort was made to produce it. Although at first it was decided to cast the award from stainless steel (it is noteworthy that later options from this alloy actually began to appear). In January 1943, the Leningrad Mint received a decree to produce the first batch of medals. Within a few months, the first thousand medals were awarded to war heroes. It was round in shape, with a diameter of 32 mm. On the front side, it was decided to depict several Red Army soldiers with machine guns who mercilessly shot at the enemy, defending the inscription “For our Soviet Motherland” on the reverse side of the medal. In addition to the main model, a commemorative version was also made, which bore another inscription “In memory of the fiftieth anniversary of Leningrad.”

The medal was originally made with a cast eyelet, and the reverse was stamped with a serial number. Over time, awards without such numbers began to appear, no longer made of brass, but of stainless steel. There are also several varieties and modifications of the award.

Option 1

The medal's eyelet was a separate element that was simply soldered to the base. The award was made using this method during the Second World War and for some time after its end. Among these medals, serial numbers on the reverse were the least common. In fact, it is still not known where this tradition came from. Most likely, awards were numbered directly in military units, and the number itself corresponded to the division number.

Option 2

The round eye of the medal was entirely stamped. Such awards were presented after the end of the war to those heroes who, for one reason or another, could not receive a medal earlier. Its block was made of aluminum.

Additional incentives

Heroes of the defense of Leningrad also received a special certificate in which a verse was written dedicated to the protected city. People who had both direct and indirect connections to the blockade could receive the award. For example, Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad, as well as the secretary of the regional party committee Ryzhov Konstantin and many others, received this honor. Medals were awarded to historical figures, government officials and ordinary military personnel. Metropolitan Alexy took an unbearable part in raising funds for the speedy construction of a new tank division. In the shortest possible time, the clergyman collected about 6 million rubles and thereby helped save thousands of lives not only of civilians, but also of military personnel on the battlefield.

Traditionally, the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was worn on the left side of the chest. Usually this medal was placed next to the award “For saving drowning people.”

Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" now

It is no secret that many collectors are ready to pay a large sum for the right to own such a relic. On the Internet you can find a huge number of auctions and offers to purchase such a medal. Despite the fact that auctions start at literally 200 rubles, the final cost can reach hundreds of thousands. The cost directly depends on when exactly the award was issued, what material it is made of, etc.

Fraudsters also make money from this. They are putting up for auction the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad", a photo of which confirms the fact that this is a true award. But in fact it turns out that this is just a cheap fake that has nothing in common with the original.

Hierarchy of awards

There were three similar awards. The most honorable and senior was Next came the award “For the Defense of Leningrad,” and then came The presence of any of these medals allowed its owner not only to apply for a high position, but also gave the right to all kinds of incentives from the state.

Finally

The blockade was one of the loudest and most tragic periods in history. It is difficult to imagine what trials our grandfathers and great-grandfathers had to go through. Having defended not only Leningrad, but also their entire homeland, they gave all future generations a chance to exist. Despite all the efforts on the part of the enemy, the heroes defended the country and forever secured the concept of perseverance for the Russian people. Undoubtedly, the heroes who received this medal deserve our eternal gratitude, respect and respect.

The medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was established to reward military and civilians who participated in the defense of besieged Leningrad from September 1941 to January 1944.

Description of the medal For the Defense of Leningrad

Dimensions 32 mm.
Materials brass.
Artist Moskalev Nikolai Ivanovich.
Who is it awarded to? Soldiers of the Soviet army, as well as civilians.
Reasons for the award For participation in military operations in the defense of besieged Leningrad.

Price of the medal for the defense of Leningrad

Today, prices for a medal for the Defense of Leningrad start from 780 rubles.
Price updated as of 04/21/2019

Awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad"

In total, approximately 1,470,000 people were awarded. The medal was established on December 22, 1942. Partial changes to the statute of the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” were made on June 19, March 27, and May 3, 1943. Medal No. 1 was awarded to Andrei Aleksandrovich Zhdanov, a member of the Military Council of the Leningrad Front.

Medal for the Defense of Leningrad in the USSR award system

"For the Defense of Leningrad" medal of the USSR

This award was established in December 1942, along with other medals for the defense of besieged cities: Odessa, Stalingrad, Sevastopol. Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" was awarded to all military and civilians who participated in the actions to repel the attacks of the German invaders and held the defense of the city from September 1941 to January 1944. The first medals were created by the Leningrad Mint and already in April 1943 they were received by soldiers who fought on the front line in the besieged city. Many sketches were presented at the competition; the project by the artist Moskalev won. On it, in the foreground, in a line, there are a Red Army soldier, a sailor, a worker and a worker with rifles in their hands, going on the attack, behind them is the next line of soldiers, in the background is the building of the Main Admiralty, in which the ship located on the spire is replaced by a star, at the top in a circle there is an inscription “for the defense of Leningrad”, on the reverse there is a hammer and sickle, and an inscription in 3 rows “FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND”

Description of other awards of the Second World War of the USSR: Medal For the Defense of the Soviet Arctic for direct participation in the defense of the Arctic from fascist invaders and the Medal For the capture of Koenigsberg as a reward to the soldiers who stormed the city of the Koenigsberg fortress.

Defense of Leningrad

The troops of the Soviet army, which subsequently led the defense of Leningrad, fought their first battles at the beginning of July 1941 on the distant approaches to the city. At the same time, civilians, together with soldiers of the Red Army, erected defensive fortifications on the near approaches to the city and barricades directly in the city. At the same time, in Leningrad itself, militia units were formed from residents.

To attack the city, Hitler allocated Army Group North, numbering more than 300,000 soldiers and officers. In addition, Finnish troops were attacking the city from the Karelian Isthmus.

The fighting on the approaches to Leningrad continued throughout the summer; only on September 8, 1941, the enemy was able to completely blockade the city from land. Lake Ladoga remained the only route of communication with Leningrad, but after the cessation of navigation, the city lost it too. After this, the situation with ammunition and food in Leningrad became catastrophic. On November 20, 1941, food distribution standards reached their minimum value and amounted to 125 grams of bread for children under 12 years of age, dependents and employees, 250 grams for workers, and 500 for soldiers fighting on the front line. This situation lasted until December 25, 1941, after which it began to gradually improve. This was due to the fact that the first food deliveries began across the frozen surface of Lake Ladoga to Leningrad.

The blockade of the city lasted 872 days, only on January 18, 1943, the troops that defended Leningrad were able to unite with the troops of the Volkhov Front, after a massive attack to meet each other.

The blockade of the city was broken, but the enemy was not going to retreat, the fighting on the outskirts of the city lasted another year, after which on January 14, 1944, the troops leading the defense of Leningrad launched a massive offensive, which made it possible to finally lift the blockade of the city by January 27, 1944. For all military and civilians who participated in the defense of the city, a Medal for the Defense of Leningrad established on December 22, 1942.

The medal was established by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated December 22, 1942. A partial change in the Regulations and description of the medal was made by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated June 19, 1943. In addition, changes were made to the description of the medal by Resolutions of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated March 27 and May 3, 1943.

Regulations on the medal.

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is awarded to all participants in the defense of Leningrad:

military personnel of units, formations and institutions of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who actually participated in the defense of the city;
workers, employees and other civilians who participated in hostilities to defend the city, contributed to the defense of the city with their dedicated work in enterprises, institutions, participated in the construction of defensive structures, in air defense, in protecting public utilities, in fighting fires from enemy air raids, in the organization and maintenance of transport and communications, in the organization of public catering, supplies and cultural services for the population, in caring for the sick and wounded, in organizing child care and carrying out other measures for the defense of the city.

The medals are awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents certifying actual participation in the defense of Leningrad, issued by unit commanders, heads of military medical institutions and the Leningrad regional and city Councils of Working People's Deputies.

Delivery is made:

persons located in military units of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - commanders of military units, and persons who retired from the army and navy - regional, city and district military commissars at the place of residence of the recipients;
to persons from the civilian population - participants in the defense of Leningrad - by the Leningrad regional and city Council of Workers' Deputies.

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For saving drowning people.”.

Description of the medal.

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is made of brass and has the shape of a regular circle with a diameter of 32 mm.

On the front side of the medal, against the background of the visible outline of the Admiralty building, a group of Red Army men, Red Navy men, men and women workers with rifles at the ready is depicted. At the top of the medal there is a five-pointed star and the inscription along the edge of the medal “FOR THE DEFENSE OF LENINGRAD”. The front side of the medal is bordered by a convex edge.

On the reverse side of the medal is the inscription “FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND.” Above the inscription are a hammer and sickle.

All inscriptions and images on the medal are convex.

Using an eyelet and a ring, the medal is connected to a pentagonal block covered with an olive-colored silk moiré ribbon with a longitudinal green stripe in the middle. Tape width 24 mm, strip width 2 mm.

History of the medal.

The initiator of the establishment of medals for the defense of Odessa, Sevastopol, Leningrad and Stalingrad in October 1942 was the People's Commissariat of Defense of the USSR. On November 24, 1942, Stalin was given instructions to begin developing designs for these medals.

Artists Barkhin, Kabakov, Kongiser, Moskalev, the team of artists "Byurobin" and others took part in the creation of design drawings for the medal.

Initially it was planned to make the medal from stainless steel, however, by Decree of March 27, 1943, brass was approved as the material for making the medal.

At the beginning of 1943, the Leningrad Mint received an order to produce the first batch of medals, and already in April 1943, the first thousand medals were awarded to soldiers on the front line.

During the days of the defense of Leningrad, the city’s clergy took an active part in collecting funds for the construction of military equipment and gifts for the Red Army soldiers. They collected 6 million rubles for the construction of the Dmitry Donskoy tank column alone. Many of them were subsequently awarded a medal“For the defense of Leningrad.” This award was awarded to Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad, archpriests of the St. Nicholas Cathedral Lomakin and Dubrovitsky, and rector of the Bolshe-Okhtinskaya St. Nicholas Church of the Vyborg region, Archpriest Mikhail Slavnitsky.

Persons awarded the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” have the right to be awarded the later established anniversary medal “In memory of the 250th anniversary of Leningrad.”

In exceptional cases, the medal could be re-awarded. Thus, A.A. Kuznetsov was awarded two medals “For the Defense of Leningrad”. - During the war years, 2nd Secretary of the Leningrad Regional Party Committee.

By 1962, about 930 thousand awards of the medal had been made.

OnIn 1985, the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was awarded to about 1,470,000 people.

Features and types of medals.

Depending on the design of the eyelet, the following medal options can be distinguished.

Option 1. The ear of the medal is a separate element, attached by soldering. This option was awarded during the Second World War, or immediately after its end. The medal block is usually two-layered and made of heavy metal.


Option 1
Photos provided by Andrey Kuznetsov

The team of authors noted that the later medals of the first version have some differences in the stamp. Thus, for later medals, the horizon line on the obverse extends beyond the outer edge of the inscription “For the Defense of Leningrad” by approximately 1 mm on each side. For early medals, the horizon line ends at the inner edge of the inscription.

Among the medals of the first version, it is extremely rare to find specimens that have a serial number on the reverse. The origin of the number has not been fully investigated. The number, however, was not applied at the Mint. Most likely, the medals of this variant were numbered directly in military units at the divisional or regimental level. In this case, the medal number corresponded to the number of the certificate for the medal. Numbers can belocated horizontally at the bottom of the reverse, or on the edge of the medal at 6 o'clock on the dial. Medals with numbers A 48361, B 01939, L 19673, U 36101 and 18287 (the number is located on the reverse) and A 01101, P 33983 (the number is located on the edge) were examined. Similare numbered copies also described for medals "For Defense" Stalingrad " and "For the defense of Sevastopol" (cm).

Variety 1. At the bottom of the document there are typographical signatures of the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies Popkov and the Secretary of the Executive Committee Bubnov. The date of delivery is also printed in typography, indicating all four digits of the year - 1943.

Variety 1a. It differs from the first variety in that it was intended to be presented to women - defenders of Leningrad. The text of the certificate contains the phrase “AWARDED WITH A MEDAL.” However, the circulation of such a document was small and many women were awarded certificates of the first type.

Variety 2. It differs from the first type in the date of delivery. The date 1944 is printed typographically.

Variety 3. At the bottom of the document there are no typographic signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies. On documents of the third type they were stamped. There have also been changes in the delivery date. Only the first three digits of the year - 194 - are printed typographically.

Variety 4. The signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies are stamped. On the date of issue, only the first two digits of the year are printed - 19.

Option 2. Late version. There are 15 ribbons on the coat of arms at the top of the document. At the bottom of the document, two lines are allocated to indicate the position, military rank and signature of the person presenting the medal. Only the first two digits of the year - 19 - are printed typographically.

In some military units, early documents of the first version were presented to the recipients folded in four in a special folder-cover. These covers were produced in printing houses by order of a military unit or formation. On the front side of this cover there was a relief image of the medal and its name, made in golden letters. On the left half of the spread was printed a poem by Boris Likharev “For the Defense of Leningrad.” Covers are available in white, dark gray and olive colors.

Regulations on the medal

The medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" is awarded to all participants in the defense of Leningrad:

military personnel of units, formations and institutions of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who actually participated in the defense of the city;
workers, employees and other civilians who participated in hostilities to protect the city, contributed to the defense of the city with their dedicated work in enterprises, institutions, participated in the construction of defensive structures, in air defense, in protecting public utilities, in fighting fires from enemy air raids, in the organization and maintenance of transport and communications, in the organization of public catering, supplies and cultural services for the population, in caring for the sick and wounded, in organizing child care and carrying out other measures for the defense of the city.
The medals are awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the basis of documents certifying actual participation in the defense of Leningrad, issued by unit commanders, heads of military medical institutions and the Leningrad regional and city Councils of Working People's Deputies.

Delivery is made:

persons located in military units of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - commanders of military units, and persons who retired from the army and navy - regional, city and district military commissars at the place of residence of the recipients;
to persons from the civilian population - participants in the defense of Leningrad - by the Leningrad regional and city Council of Workers' Deputies.

Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" worn on the left side of the chest and, in the presence of other USSR medals, is located after the medal “For rescuing drowning people.”

Description of the medal

The medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" is made of brass and has the shape of a regular circle with a diameter of 32 mm.

On the reverse side of the medal is the inscription "FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND." Above the inscription are a hammer and sickle.

All inscriptions and images on the medal are convex.

History of the medal

Artists Barkhin, Kabakov, Kongiser, Moskalev, the team of artists "Byurobin" and others took part in the creation of design drawings for the medal.

Initially it was planned to make the medal from stainless steel, however, by Decree of March 27, 1943, brass was approved as the material for making the medal.

At the beginning of 1943, the Leningrad Mint received an order to produce the first batch of medals, and already in April 1943, the first thousand medals were awarded to soldiers on the front line.

During the days of the defense of Leningrad, the city’s clergy took an active part in collecting funds for the construction of military equipment and gifts for the Red Army soldiers. They collected 6 million rubles for the construction of the Dmitry Donskoy tank column alone. Many of them were subsequently awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad". This award was awarded to Metropolitan Alexy of Leningrad, archpriests of the St. Nicholas Cathedral Lomakin and Dubrovitsky, and rector of the Bolshe-Okhtinskaya St. Nicholas Church of the Vyborg region, Archpriest Mikhail Slavnitsky.

By 1962, about 930 thousand medals had been awarded. As of 1985, about 1,470,000 people were awarded the medal "For the Defense of Leningrad".

Features and types of medals

You can learn about the features and types of medals on the USSR Medals website

Approximate cost of the medal

How much does the Medal "For the Defense of Leningrad" cost? Below we give the approximate price for some rooms:

According to the current legislation of the Russian Federation, the purchase and/or sale of medals, orders, documents of the USSR and Russia is prohibited; this is all described in Article 324. Purchase or sale of official documents and state awards. You can read about this in more detail in the ARTICLE, which reveals the law in more detail, as well as describes those medals, orders and documents that do not relate to this ban.

Regulations on the medal

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is awarded to all participants in the defense of Leningrad:

military personnel of units, formations and institutions of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops who actually participated in the defense of the city;
workers, employees and other civilians who participated in hostilities to defend the city, contributed to the defense of the city with their dedicated work in enterprises, institutions, participated in the construction of defensive structures, in air defense, in protecting public utilities, in fighting fires from enemy air raids, in the organization and maintenance of transport and communications, in the organization of public catering, supplies and cultural services for the population, in caring for the sick and wounded, in organizing child care and carrying out other measures for the defense of the city.

Delivery is made:

persons located in military units of the Red Army, Navy and NKVD troops - commanders of military units, and persons who retired from the army and navy - regional, city and district military commissars at the place of residence of the recipients;
to persons from the civilian population - participants in the defense of Leningrad - by the Leningrad regional and city Council of Workers' Deputies.

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is worn on the left side of the chest and, if there are other medals of the USSR, is located after the medal “For saving drowning people.”

Description of the medal

The medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” is made of brass and has the shape of a regular circle with a diameter of 32 mm.

On the reverse side of the medal is the inscription “FOR OUR SOVIET MOTHERLAND.” Above the inscription are a hammer and sickle.

All inscriptions and images on the medal are convex.

History of the medal

Artists Barkhin, Kabakov, Kongiser, Moskalev, the team of artists "Byurobin" and others took part in the creation of design drawings for the medal.

Initially it was planned to make the medal from stainless steel, however, by Decree of March 27, 1943, brass was approved as the material for making the medal.

At the beginning of 1943, the Leningrad Mint received an order to produce the first batch of medals, and already in April 1943, the first thousand medals were awarded to soldiers on the front line.

Persons awarded the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” have the right to be awarded the later established anniversary medal “In memory of the 250th anniversary of Leningrad.”

In exceptional cases, the medal could be re-awarded. Thus, A.A. Kuznetsov was awarded two medals “For the Defense of Leningrad”. - during the war years, 2nd secretary of the Leningrad regional party committee.

By 1962, about 930 thousand awards of the medal had been made.

OnIn 1985, the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” was awarded to about 1,470,000 people.

Features and types of medals

Depending on the design of the eyelet, the following medal options can be distinguished.

Option 1. The ear of the medal is a separate element, attached by soldering. This option was awarded during the Second World War, or immediately after its end. The medal block is usually two-layered and made of heavy metal.

Among the medals of the first version, it is extremely rare to find specimens that have a serial number on the reverse. The origin of the number has not been fully investigated. The number, however, was not applied at the Mint. Most likely, the medals of this variant were numbered directly in military units at the divisional or regimental level. In this case, the medal number corresponded to the number of the certificate for the medal. NThe numbers can be located horizontally at the bottom of the reverse, or on the edge of the medal at 6 o'clock on the dial. Medals with numbers A 48361, B 01939, L 19673, U 36101 and 18287 (the number is located on the reverse) and A 01101, P 33983 (the number is located on the edge) were examined. Similar e numbered copies also described for medals "For Defense"Stalingrad" and "For the defense of Sevastopol" (cm).

Option 2.

The ear of the medal is solidly stamped and round. This option was awarded after the end of the war to persons who, for some reason, had not received a medal earlier. The block is usually single-layer aluminum.

Certificate for the medal

The following options and types of certificates for the medal “For the Defense of Leningrad” can be distinguished.

Option 1. Early version. There are 11 ribbons on the coat of arms at the top of the document.

Variety 1. At the bottom of the document there are typographical signatures of the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies Popkov and the Secretary of the Executive Committee Bubnov. The date of delivery is also printed in typography, indicating all four digits of the year - 1943.

Variety 1a. It differs from the first variety in that it was intended to be presented to women - defenders of Leningrad. The text of the certificate contains the phrase “AWARDED WITH A MEDAL.” However, the circulation of such a document was small and many women were awarded certificates of the first type.

Variety 2. It differs from the first type in the date of delivery. The date 1944 is printed typographically.

Variety 3. At the bottom of the document there are no typographic signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies. On documents of the third type they were stamped. There have also been changes in the delivery date. Only the first three digits of the year - 194 - are printed typographically.

Variety 4. The signatures of the Chairman and Secretary of the Leningrad City Council of Workers' Deputies are stamped. On the date of issue, only the first two digits of the year are printed - 19.