History

The Order of the National Coat of Arms was established by Prime Minister Konstantin Päts in 1936 in commemoration of the declaration of Estonian independence on February 24, 1918. The Order was later suppressed in 1940 when Soviet occupants seized power of Estonia, but it was renewed in 1991 following the restoration of Estonian independence.

It is conferred upon Estonian citizens for services rendered to the state, and may also be awarded posthumously.

The Collar was created two years after the Order was established by the personal initiative of Päts. It is the highest class of the Order and is worn exclusively by the Estonian President. When Soviet occupants took control of Estonia in 1940, it was seized and brought back to the Kremlin as a trophy. This original collar still remains in the collection of the Kremlin Armoury, so in 2008, a second was manufactured for the Estonian President to wear.