In silver gilt and enamels. Measures 27.4 mm in height, 10.3 mm in width. Beautiful quality. The reverse is gold plated and shows silver hallmark "875" with Worker's Head and Delta (Moscow Assay Inspection) of 1927 - 1947 style. The reverse also shows smaller circular "Worker's Head" hallmark and stylized Cyrillic maker mark "SM". Matching circular hallmark and maker mark to the wing nut.

The base of the badge is old Imperial design for the University Graduate badge , with royal blue cross superimposed on cut-out white diamond. Note that the wreath on top of the cross clear

In silver gilt and enamels. Measures 27.4 mm in height, 10.3 mm in width. Beautiful quality. The reverse is gold plated and shows silver hallmark "875" with Worker's Head and Delta (Moscow Assay Inspection) of 1927 - 1947 style. The reverse also shows smaller circular "Worker's Head" hallmark and stylized Cyrillic maker mark "SM". Matching circular hallmark and maker mark to the wing nut.

The base of the badge is old Imperial design for the University Graduate badge , with royal blue cross superimposed on cut-out white diamond. Note that the wreath on top of the cross clearly has an unfinished look: on the early badges it had been topped with Imperial double- headed eagle. The most fascinating part of the design is red star with "skewed" hammer and sickle emblem in the early style. The star is stamped as part of the background diamond as opposed to separate stars sometimes custom-added to the early badges. The translucent enamel on the star and the rest of the badge are of matching, spectacular quality. Note also the miniature, lapel size of the badge indicating that it was probably a part of a small series exclusively for VIPs, similar to other miniature badges of the period such as Honored Railway Employee or Honored Road Builder.

The badge is in very fine to excellent condition. The enamel on the exposed red star is intact; the white diamond has surface flaking in the lower portion which is almost unnoticeable and certainly does not affect the overall appearance of the piece. The blue enamel on the cross shows light surface wear, no chips or any significant damage. The attachment of the cross to the diamond is firm. Most of the original gilt to the reverse is still present. The screw post is intact and the original hallmarked wing nut functions well.

The owner was clearly proud to exhibit his academic credentials at the same time manifesting loyalty to the new Bolshevik regime. His University badge was one of the last remainders of the pre-revolutionary designs, soon to be replaced by the much more familiar Soviet University diamond with the emblem of the USSR. A highly unusual and interesting "crossover" piece.
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