Patriotic Merit Order/Vaterländischer Verdienstorden.

[Taz]

The Patriotic Order of Merit/Vaterländischer Verdienstorden, or VVO) was a national award granted annually in the GDR.
It was founded in 1954 and was awarded to individuals and institutions for outstanding contributions to the state and society in various areas of life.

It was awarded "for outstanding merit":

"in the struggle of the German and international labour movement and in the fight against fascism,"
"in the establishment, consolidation and fortification of the German Democratic Republic,"
"in the fight to secure peace and advance the international influence of the German Democratic Republic".

The order was awarded in bronze, silver, gold and gold honour clasp (for exceptional merit). Each level was only awarded once and with the exception of the recipient of the honor clasp, all recipients received a sum of money.

Up until 1973, the following annual honour money was paid to the awardee:

Bronze 250 mark
Silver 500 mark
Gold 1000 Mark

Afterwards, there was only a one-off bonus:

Bronze 2500 mark
Silver 5000 mark
Gold 10000 mark

At the award ceremony on collectives (up to 10 people):

Bronze 500 mark
Silver 1000 Mark
Gold 2000 mark

The premium for the awarding of the order was from September 10th, 1987:

Bronze 2500 mark
Silver 5000 mark
Gold 10000 mark

Honour clasp in gold: 15000 mark

Shown below is the VVO in Bronze