Badge "50 Years Membership In The Communist Party Of U.S.S.R."

[EricFG]

This badge's threads are hard to find here as "50" is too short to work with the forums search functions. A minor issue that might be addressed, but I digress.

The first one of these I bought was from eBay. I told then seller it wasn't the same as the one in the posted picture but his reply was: "There were variations." There are no variations that I know of - at least not without the MMD mark on the back.

I do not believe there are any variations

The image attached is from the the first post in this thread and of my badge posted in this thread shown side by side. The reason I attach my photoshop montage is I'm looking at a badge with a MM more similar to the mark on the badge on the left of my montage. Looking at the two together I would say that there may indeed be variations of this badge.
If I assume that there were x00,000 of these badges made, beginning in the late 1960s, wouldn't it be possible that more than one batch or mint run of these badges were made? My montage shows very similar but distinct reverses. At least I think so. You? :confused:

[desantnik]

In light of famines, purges, WWII, other Party shenanigans, and generally selective nature of CPSU membership. I wouldn't put the number in the 100Ks, but I could be wrong.

Both badges look legit.

[deValcourt]

The only thing obviousy missing is the raised "dotted line" encircling the MMD mark. I think it was a matter of when it was made - the dotted line one being later - or, and this is less likely, the mark is not complete because of the tiny size or lack of proper pressure, or even wear. I dunno. Like Paul said, they both look good.

Phillip

[EricFG]

Oh, they're both good, I was just trying to point out some admittedly tiny differences that may or may not lead to them being called different variations.
And by my speculating that there were maybe a million of these made I think that they were not all made at one time, rather in batches at different points in time thus raising the possibility of differnet variations due to changed MMs, different manufacurers, new dies.... all wild specualtion on my part. Just kind of thinking out loud.
Also, I'll lower my mintage guess to, say, mid six figures.

[Will]

Konstantin Chernenko wears the 50 year membership badge in this official photo.

[Will]

And an interesting photograph.
This is my own attempt to photograph a picture that appears in the memoirs of Andrei Gromyko, the long-serving Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union.
The photograph in the book is clearer, but I think that you can still see here the fact that Gromyko in this photograph, taken with President Reagan, wears the 50 year Communist Party membership award on the lapel of his jacket. Gromyko became a member of the Party in 1931, and achieved 50 year status in 1981. This photograph, as I recall, dates from 1986.

[EricFG]

Originally Posted by EricFG

I was just trying to point out some admittedly tiny differences that may or may not lead to them being called different variations.

This Russian website shows two variations of the MMs: Sign - 50 years in the CPSU | Collectibles, hobbies and passions.
Знак - 50 лет пребывания в КПСС | Коллекционирование, хобби и увлечения.

[Nota Bene]

Interesting, I have always believed that bronze and aluminum badges were fakes, because they have appeared on the market much later. Actually, I am still inclined to believe that.

Alexei

[EricFG]

The nicer bronze one has the MMD mark, not that that means anything, but maybe it could have been an 'official copy' for daily use? Probably not as there's few Soviet awards that were copied semi-officially (other than the school badges with the plaques)
The other two have that zanchki vibe to them. They certainly weren't made to deceive.
BTW, what was the purpose of znachki anyway, besides propaganda? The monies collected from znak sales went where?

[Nota Bene]

I don't believe in official copies.

Znachki were made for and sold to collectors, it's as simple as that. The proceeds no doubt were used to better the lives of workers and peasants. :)

Alexei