diff --git a/lib/python/src/bailo/__init__.py b/lib/python/src/bailo/__init__.py
index f8723bd56..17a83ce41 100644
--- a/lib/python/src/bailo/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/python/src/bailo/__init__.py
@@ -7,8 +7,9 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 import logging
 
-# Package Version 2.3.3
-__version__ = "2.3.3"
+
+# Package Version 2.3.4
+__version__ = "2.3.4"
 
 
 from bailo.core.agent import Agent, PkiAgent, TokenAgent
diff --git a/lib/python/src/bailo/helper/release.py b/lib/python/src/bailo/helper/release.py
index 443656083..4add8a395 100644
--- a/lib/python/src/bailo/helper/release.py
+++ b/lib/python/src/bailo/helper/release.py
@@ -55,8 +55,6 @@ def __init__(
         if images is None:
             images = []
 
-        if isinstance(version, str):
-            version = Version(version)
         self.version = version
 
         self.model_card_version = model_card_version
@@ -285,7 +283,7 @@ def update(self) -> Any:
         """
         return self.client.put_release(
             self.model_id,
-            str(self.version),
+            str(self.__version_raw),
             self.notes,
             self.draft,
             self.files,
@@ -302,16 +300,39 @@ def delete(self) -> Any:
 
         return True
 
+    @property
+    def version(self):
+        return self.__version_obj
+
+    @version.setter
+    def version(self, value):
+        if ("_Release__version_obj" not in self.__dict__) and ("_Release__version_raw" not in self.__dict__):
+            if isinstance(value, str):
+                if value.startswith("v"):
+                    value = value[1:]
+                version_obj = Version.coerce(value)
+            elif isinstance(value, Version):
+                version_obj = value
+            else:
+                raise TypeError("Provided version not of a supported type.")
+
+            self.__version_obj = version_obj
+            self.__version_raw = value
+        else:
+            raise BailoException(
+                "Version attribute has already been set once. You must create a new Release object to create a new version, or use Model.create_release()."
+            )
+
     def __repr__(self) -> str:
         return f"{self.__class__.__name__}({str(self)})"
 
     def __str__(self) -> str:
-        return f"{self.model_id} v{self.version}"
+        return f"{self.model_id} v{self.__version_obj}"
 
     def __eq__(self, other) -> bool:
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
             return NotImplemented
-        return self.version == other.version
+        return self.__version_obj == other.__version_obj
 
     def __ne__(self, other):
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
@@ -321,22 +342,22 @@ def __ne__(self, other):
     def __lt__(self, other):
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
             return NotImplemented
-        return self.version < other.version
+        return self.__version_obj < other.__version_obj
 
     def __le__(self, other):
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
             return NotImplemented
-        return self.version <= other.version
+        return self.__version_obj <= other.__version_obj
 
     def __gt__(self, other):
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
             return NotImplemented
-        return self.version > other.version
+        return self.__version_obj > other.__version_obj
 
     def __ge__(self, other):
         if not isinstance(other, self.__class__):
             return NotImplemented
-        return self.version >= other.version
+        return self.__version_obj >= other.__version_obj
 
     def __hash__(self) -> int:
-        return hash((self.model_id, self.version))
+        return hash((self.model_id, self.__version_obj))
diff --git a/lib/python/tests/test_release.py b/lib/python/tests/test_release.py
index 2a7f9ce72..4ea327b95 100644
--- a/lib/python/tests/test_release.py
+++ b/lib/python/tests/test_release.py
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ def test_create_get_from_version_update_and_delete_release(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration
-def test_nonexistant_file_ids(integration_client, example_model):
+def test_nonexistent_file_ids(integration_client, example_model):
     with pytest.raises(ResponseException):
         release = Release.create(
             client=integration_client,
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def test_nonexistant_file_ids(integration_client, example_model):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration
-def create_two_release_with_same_semver(integration_client, example_model):
+def test_create_two_release_with_same_semver(integration_client, example_model):
     Release.create(
         client=integration_client, model_id=example_model.model_id, version="1.1.0", model_card_version=1, notes="test"
     )
@@ -91,3 +91,11 @@ def create_two_release_with_same_semver(integration_client, example_model):
             model_card_version=1,
             notes="test",
         )
+
+
+@pytest.mark.integration
+def test_retrieve_release_with_v_in_version(integration_client, example_model):
+    example_model.create_release(version="v2.0.0", notes=" ")
+    release = Release.from_version(client=integration_client, model_id=example_model.model_id, version="v2.0.0")
+
+    assert str(release.version) == "2.0.0"