Marshal's Star - Large Marshal's Star

Large Marshal's Star

The large medallion is distinct for the ranks of marshal of the Soviet Union (instituted 2 September 1940) and admiral of the fleet of the Soviet Union (from 3 March 1955). In the Russian Federation there is only one title, marshal of the Russian Federation.

It is a gold five-pointed star with smooth diagonal rays on the front side. In the center is a platinum, five-pointed star with diamonds. The diamonds in the center have a total weight of 2.62 carats and in the rays there are 25 diamonds weighing a total of 1.25 carats. Between the edges of rays are 5 diamonds weighing a total of 3.06 carats. The diameter of the gold star is 44.5 millimetres (1.75 in) and the platinum stars are 23 millimetres (0.91 in) in diameter. The star has a depth of 8 millimetres (0.31 in).

The marshal's star has a triangular eyelet in the upper beam which is connected to an oval eyelet measuring 14 millimetres (0.55 in). The marshal's star is suspended by a 25 millimetres (0.98 in) moire ribbon. The total weight of the large marshal's star is 36.8 grams (1.30 oz). Approximately 200 of this type of marshal's star were produced.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the ranks of marshal and chief marshal were abolished, and the marshal of the Russian Federation remains the sole rank entitled to such a decoration. Retired marshals, chief marshals, army generals, and fleet admirals, however, were allowed to retain their former ranks and their corresponding stars.

There are presently no holders of the rank of marshal of the Russian Federation in the modern Russian armed forces.