Measures approx. 5¾" x 8½". This is one of the early style, "large" certificates for the defensive campaign medals which were replaced by booklet style certificates for the campaign medals instituted later in the war. Shows facsimile signatures of the chairman and secretary of the Executive Committee of the Leningrad City Soviet (Council) and the appropriate ink stamp. Note the very early, June 1943 date of issue as well as the low serial number along with the letter "A" (first letter of the Russian alphabet) designating the series.

The certificate is in very good to excellent condition, far better than the average for a document of its type. There is no significant wear along the edges. The document has been folded in four for storage as was customary and but remains very sound having only very minimal separations along the folds. There are none of the typical tape repairs on the verso. The certificate is extremely clean, free of stains, soiling or fingerprints. Overall, this is an unusually well-preserved early example of the Defense of Leningrad award certificate.