Order of Victory XX of Leonid Brezhnev

Platinum, gold, silver, rubies (synthetic), diamonds, cloisonne, champlevé, silk (case), velvet (case).
Size 72 mm.

The only specimen that was officially converted from screw to cupronickel pin fastening.

Awarding ceremony.

Original decree.

"For the great contribution to the victory of the Soviet people and its Armed Forces in the Great Patriotic War, outstanding services in strengthening the country's defense capability..."

"За большой вклад в победу советского народа и его Вооруженных Сил в Великой Отечественной войне, выдающиеся заслуги в укреплении обороноспособности страны…"

 

On December 24, 1986, Soviet officials made a meticulous inventory of his medals. There were 111 including five gold stars (and 34 dublicates) of Hero of the Soviet Union, two marshal stars with jewels, 16 state orders and 18 high Soviet medals. Foreign awards included three Heroes of Bulgaria, two Hungarian Orders of the Banner, one Vietnamese Gold Star, one East German Friendship of the Peoples medal and three Heroes of Czechoslovakia, etc, etc, etc ...

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Aware that Brezhnev had played a relatively modest part in World War II, many Soviets regarded his receipt of the medal in 1978 as an insult to the millions of Red Army soldiers who risked their lives for their country. Seven years after his death on September 21, 1989 the decree on awarding the Order of Victory to Brezhnev was canceled as contrary to the statute of the order.

Original decree.

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