28-mm medal "For diligence" of the sample of 1915

A fairly rare medal in almost excellent condition. Silver, stamping. The diameter is 28 mm. The weight is 15.5 grams. Guarantee of authenticity.

The medal "For Diligence" ("FOR DILIGENCE") was established in December 1801 by Emperor Alexander I, which was initially awarded to civilians who rendered various services to the government, later lower military ranks for long-term service. The medal was issued in three diameters: chest — 30 (29) mm., neck — 51 mm., commemorative — 65 mm. All of them could be made of either gold or silver. After the reign of Alexander I, the medal was established four more times: under Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II, the inscriptions changed accordingly.

On the obverse — in a circle: "B.M. <name of the ruling emperor> EMPEROR AND AUTOCRAT of ALL RUSSIA.", inside the circular inscription is a shoulder image of the sovereign. On the reverse — concentric circles and the inscription: "FOR DILIGENCE." Under Nicholas II, the image was changed — palm, oak and laurel branches on the bottom left, a direct inscription "FOR DILIGENCE" on the top right.

On May 26, 1915, Emperor Nicholas II approved the Regulations of the Committee of Ministers on changing the sample and size of gold and silver medals "For Diligence". The sample was reduced for medals. The size of neck medals was reduced to 45 mm, and chest medals to 28 mm. Since 1916, medals began to be minted from yellow metal instead of gold, and from white metal instead of silver. On the reverse of these medals began to place the letters: "Zh. M." (yellow metal) and "B. M." (white metal). Now the chest and neck "gold" medals were called the 1st category, and the "silver" - the 2nd category.