{"product_id":"russian-svr-foreign-intelligence-for-merit-medal-with-award-document-rare-original-issue","title":"Russian SVR Foreign Intelligence “For Merit” Medal with Award Document – Rare Original Issue","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item – Only One Available. Rare original medal of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation (SVR), officially titled “For Merit.” This is one of the principal merit decorations within the SVR award system and was established by SVR Order No. 20\/DSP of 17 April 2002. Unlike the Service’s long-service medals, the “For Merit” medal was not awarded simply for completing a prescribed number of years. Its regulations provided for recognition of SVR personnel who made a significant contribution to the organization, conduct, or support of intelligence activity, as well as persons who made an important personal contribution to cooperation with the SVR or rendered substantial assistance to the Service in protecting the national interests of the Russian Federation. It is therefore a merit-based distinction connected directly with contribution to the work of Russian foreign intelligence. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts obverse carries the distinctive SVR emblem: a radiating star surrounding a blue-enamel globe, encircled by the motto “Fatherland • Valor • Honor.” Beneath the emblem are oak and laurel elements together with an enamel ribbon in the colors of the Russian Federation. The reverse is deliberately restrained, bearing the inscription “Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation” around the circumference and “For Merit” prominently at the center. The medal is suspended from its correct mount with the characteristic light-blue, yellow, burgundy\/red and white ribbon arrangement visible on this example. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticularly desirable for the specialist collector, this example retains its corresponding SVR medal certificate booklet, the cover specifically marked Certificate for the Medal ‘For Merit.’” The interior shows the correct medal illustration and SVR institutional wording, but the recipient's name, award order, date, number and signature fields remain blank. It should therefore be described accurately as an original medal accompanied by a blank\/unissued award certificate, rather than as a documented recipient group. Complete examples retaining the appropriate certificate are substantially more appealing than isolated medals and are encountered far less frequently on the collectors’ market. A rare and important original SVR award, particularly suitable for an advanced collection of Russian foreign-intelligence, Soviet-successor security-service, or modern Russian intelligence decorations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Russia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53067659149624,"sku":null,"price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0799\/1256\/7096\/files\/IMG_2846.jpg?v=1790876522","url":"https:\/\/khanmilitaria.com\/products\/russian-svr-foreign-intelligence-for-merit-medal-with-award-document-rare-original-issue","provider":"KhanMilitaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}