Russia (St. Petersburg / Petrograd mint) Silver St. George's Medal 3rd Class ND (1913-1916) - For bravery - Nicholas II (1894-1917)

Number: 28685. 

Medalier: A.F. Vasyutinsky (without signature). 

Diakov 1133.9 R2; Bitkin (medals) 1111 R. 

Obv.: The left-facing profile portrait of Emperor Nicholas II with circular inscription: 

Б . М . НИКОЛАИ II ИМП. И САМОДЕР. ВСЕРОСС. 

(By the Grace of God, Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia). 

Rev.: Inscription ЗА ХРАБРОСТЬ (for bravery) in the center, accompanied by the 3 СТЕП. (3rd class) and the number (28685) of the medal; plain field around and smooth edge. 

The St. George Medal “For Bravery,” instituted on 10 August 1913, replaced earlier bravery medals awarded to irregular troops and the Border Guard, and was formally attached to the Military Order of St. George. Intended for lower ranks-privates and non-commissioned officers—it recognized acts of personal courage that did not meet the criteria for the St. George Cross. The award could also be granted to civilians, particularly field surgeons and medical orderlies who rendered aid under active enemy fire. The medal was issued in four classes: the 1st and 2nd in gold, the 3rd and 4th in silver, with the 1st and 3rd bearing a bow on the ribbon. Annual monetary payments accompanied each class, and replacement medals were provided free of charge in cases of unintentional loss. Both individual and collective awards were permitted, with units receiving allocations of medals to distribute among distinguished personnel. The obverse originally carried the portrait of Nicholas II, replaced in 1917 by the image of St. George, while the reverse bore the inscription “За храбрость,” the serial number, and the class of the medal. The St. George Medal remained a key instrument for recognizing battlefield valor across the diverse regions of the late Russian Empire.