Greg Collins

This second badge is the newer (after 1959) model of the same badge. Here we have smaller hammers, no nomenclature on the badge front, the "staatswappen" (seal) on the flag and a pin back. The "wavy lines" in the finish have always given me some concern; could this be an indication of radioactive contamination?

These next two badges would probably be more at home in the DDR section , however the "S" in the name SDAG Wismut is "Soviet", and the Wismut uranium mining operation was a partnership between the Soviets and East Germans. Anyway, both are 2nd Class as evidenced by the silver plated hammers. The first badge is pre-1959... there is no seal in the flag's center... and it is screw-backed. Both badges were produced by Prawema.

Next, a 100 year commemorative badge from what appears to be Zabod Krasniyapyut, which I'm assuming is the name of a mine.

A couple badges from my collection that have not already been shown, as well as a couple of badges that probably should be shown elsewhere but that do tie in here. First, a badge from the Comsomol Mine in the Ukraine:

Last, for now, a "Hero of the New Agrarian Revolution". Established in 1986, this award came in gold, gold-plated silver or, as this one is, gold-plated brass.

Details of the front and back. Note the coating on the back just doesn't age very well (I hate this; wish they wouldn't have done it).

Her's a "Medal of Agricultural Merit" that was established in 1972. Note someone has "whacked the crap" out of it on on side which may account for the missing enamel.

Next, the "Medal in Commemoration of the Collectivization of Agriculture". An RPR award, it was established in 1962.

Thought I'd start a thread on RPR/RSR agricultural awards and kick it off with a new acquisition to the collection, the "25th Anniversary of the Foundation of Cooperative Agriculture in the Socialist Republic of Romania" Jubilee Medal. I doubt this is rare, but it is somewhat hard to get here in the US. It is one of three medals that has a metal suspension rather than ribbon... there is a ribbon bar for it which I don't have (dark blue with yellow edges). This medal was established in 1987.

Details of the front and back of the medal:

OK, yet another CPRF medal; the "65 Years of the Defeat of Nazi Troops near Moscow" medal. A departure from the norm in two notable ways; first, it is a standard round-shaped medal and, second, there is no logo, either full or partial, on the back... simply "CPRF" at the base of the back. Heavy alloy or brass, red enamel and what has become a "generic" victory ribbon suspension.

Actually I've seen some pretty good stuff coming out of what used to be the USSR of late (some pretty bad stuff as well). Is it up to par with the Soviet items... I don't think so as far as the orders are concerned, maybe some of the lesser medals. But, hey, there was alot of government money behind the Monetny Dvor- of course the quality was top notch. These are pretty damned good medals for privately made medals, IMO.

A now to the Sztahanovista badge. A 1953 badge with the number K875.

Well, after reading this thread I'm more than a bit intimidated but, hey, I'm just starting the Hungarian end of my collection, so I thought I'd show these two badges I just acquired. Both have the Rakosi arms which, frankly, I prefer from a design standpoint. First, the Kivalo Dolgozo badge:

A close-up of the medal. Well, according to your list Frank, that's one down, one on the way and two to go toward the complete set.:cool:

The medal:

Another CPRF medal; the medal for "Party Valour". Heavy alloy, dished-out back with CPRF logo. Design based on the Order of the GPW. First the doc:

Hey Kevin, I'm usually not affected by these things but that jacket, for some reason, gives me "the willies". Very strange times.

Many thanks for the list, Frank! Now all I have to do is find a source or ask my current sources to look harder.:D

Close-ups of the medal itself:

Recently able to snag one of these at a decent price... kinda hard to come by. The RSR "Medal for Sanitary Merit" instituted in 1969 in one class.

A close-up of the medal. It is apparent that the basis of the design is the Order of Alexander Nevsky- the overall shape and the shield. The only aspect that I would have spent more time on is refining the image of Stalin a bit more. I really like the illusion of the red star "piercing" the gold star due to the banner placement- this did not just happen; it was well thought out by the designer. Just a great design.

And the medal...

Here's an interesting medal for a couple of reasons. First, it's another "130 Years of Stalin" medal from the same organization but, unlike the previous example, the only things linking this medal to the Communist Party of the Russian Federation is the stamped organizational seal and the stamped signature of Gennady Zyuganov, the head of the organization. A very well made medal of heavy alloy, I suspect this was made independently, sold to the CPRF who, in turn, resold it to raise funds. This medal may have been the inspiration for the CPRF to create it's own medal shown previously in this thread. From a designer's point of view, I have to say I like this medal a bit more than the previous one due to the more distinct, bold design.

No problem, Frank. I was enjoying the conversation between you and Megan. I have another medal to post in the Unofficial Communist thread tomorrow- you both may want to have a look... pretty nice one.:beer: