The gilded double-headed eagle and each of the letters ИТУ ("ITU", for Imperatorskoye Tekhnicheskoe Uchilishche - i.e. Imperial Technical School) are separate superimposed parts superimposed on the wreath. The wreath is formed by individual, intricately interwoven oak and laurel leaves applied to a flat horseshoe-shaped piece of silver that ser

The gilded double-headed eagle and each of the letters ИТУ ("ITU", for Imperatorskoye Tekhnicheskoe Uchilishche - i.e. Imperial Technical School) are separate superimposed parts superimposed on the wreath. The wreath is formed by individual, intricately interwoven oak and laurel leaves applied to a flat horseshoe-shaped piece of silver that serves as its base. The beautifully sculptured ensemble shows enormous attention to detail by its craftsman, including fully discernable provincial coats of arms on the double- headed eagle emblem, veins of the leaves, feathers of the eagle etc.

On the reverse, there is a maker mark ИА ("IA") of the Ivan Alekseev Jewelry Factory in Moscow on the left (as viewed from the reverse) swallow-tail end of the scroll. Near the right end of the scroll, there is an "84" silver hallmark with Kokoshnik facing left and Cyrillic initials ИЛ ("IL") of the Moscow assay inspector Ivan Lebyodkin. Matching small Kokoshnik hallmark and maker mark "IA" also appear on the obverse on the left and right ends, respectively, of the swallow-tail scroll under the imperial crown.

In outstanding, excellent condition. The details are completely unaffected by wear or cleaning; even the highest points of the crown and state emblem are essentially pristine and exceptionally crisp. All parts of the badge are tightly attached. The original gilt finish on the eagle, crown and letters "ITU" is clearly visible. The screw post is of full length, approx. 26 mm. The badge comes with the original silver wing nut and silver washer, both bearing the "IA" maker mark and Moscow's Kokoshnik hallmark.

The badge was introduced in 1870 exclusively for graduates of the prestigious Moscow Technical College. The school originated in 1830 as a vocational school for orphans and in 1868, two years before the introduction of its special graduation badge, was elevated in status to higher educational establishment becoming the "Imperial Technical School". The imperial reference was removed from its name immediately after the fall of the monarchy in March 1917, and the school was henceforth called Moscow Highest Technical School (MVTU). For much of the Soviet period, it was known as the Baumana MVTU and was perhaps the most respected engineering college in the country. It remains open to this day under the name of Baumana State Technical University (MGTU).

/ Patrikeev, Bojonovich, Badges of Russia, Vol. 1, p. 101 fig. 2.2/

Please note, penny in our photo is for size reference.
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