In gold and enamels. Measures 41.0 mm in height incl. eyelet, 37.6 mm in width; weighs 9.6 g not including the connecting link and ribbon; overall weight with suspension is 10.7 g. This piece is of superb quality, especially when compared to similar badges manufactured in later years. Magnificent blood red enamel is beautifully translucent and reveals the guilloche pattern to the gold surface underneath.

Marked "IK" (Julius Keibel) on the reverse lower arm and shows the double-headed eagle warrant on the reverse upper arm. The eyelet has a gold hallmark "56" and a hallmark with the clearly visible 1870 year of manufacture. The latter also has the crossed scepter and anchors emblem of the St. Petersburg assay inspection which is only partly stamped but nevertheless easily recognizable.

The order is in excellent condition. The red enamel is literally perfect and retains beautiful tone and luster. It is completely free of even the microscopic contact marks that could be found under a 10x magnification. The green leaves on the band are completely intact and fully filled with enamel - a very uncommon case. The obverse of the center medallion is likewise perfect, while the reverse has a single tiny, barely noticeable hairline which does not threaten the integrity of the enamel. There is practically no wear to the gold surfaces on the reverse of the arms or the eagles between the arms. The eagles are firmly attached and have not been repaired or reattached as is often the case. The badge comes on the original golden suspension loop and period suspension ribbon folded and sewn-in into a traditional triangular shape. Like the rest of the decoration, the ribbon is beautifully preserved.

The Keibel jewelry firm was the primary supplier of orders for the Russian Court and the Kapitul (Chancellery) starting from the 1840s. Its early pieces bearing the Wilhelm or Julius Keibel markings are renowned for their exceptional quality. They are also very scarce, especially those showing the early version of the hallmark with the date of manufacture. The vast majority of these were returned to the Chancellery upon the death of the award recipients and in most instances, scrapped.