Nickel silver; measures 56.0 mm tall including the eyelet, 54.1 mm wide; weighs 19.5 g without the suspension and connecting link. The center medallion features the 1980-87 version of the Afghanistan state emblem. Stamped Dari character "3" (for the third class) to the reverse.

In excellent condition. The raised details of the artwork are perfect and crisp. The silver finish shows an irregular but very attractive patina adding character. Comes on an original suspension device. The ribbon is for a different Afghan decoration but it looks very similar to the correct ribbon for the Order of the Star (Afghan award recipients often used generic instead of regulation ribbons).

The order was established in 1980; it was awarded for valor on the battlefield, mostly to Afghans, although few are known to have been issued to Russian advisers and other foreigners. Abolished in 1992 with the fall of the Soviet-backed Najibulla's government. The early version from the Soviet occupation period is quite hard to find.

/Tisov, Shirshov, State Awards of Afghanistan, p.40/