Merits Medal.

[Taz]

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[reichsrommel]

A nice set of Meritorious Service Medal early version.

[reichsrommel]

The main difference of early type and late type. Left is early, right is late.

Tang Si

[CtahhR]

This third variation displays a very sharply angled first letter on the reverse. It has a very strong pointed "elbow" akin to a 7.

[CtahhR]

This fourth variation has a slightly finer and deeper font than the third variation.

[GabrielMk3]

Now it's written in stone, at least! :thumbsup

[CtahhR]

Here is another variation with a fine font and a "rough" reverse.

[CtahhR]

Here is what could be the latest variation (which is the 11th Variation of Type 2 I've so far found). The reverse is more pebbled than just rough alike many other more modern variations of Medals.

I'm pretty certain that I have more variations on hand but when items come in in large quantities (usually 15-40 of each item), it isn't always possible to give each item a full scrutinise and some variations may be temporarily overlooked. Next year I may well focus some time on finding and presenting all variations in the collection but it is a very time consuming project to sort hundreds of Medals or Orders, sometimes with minimal yet distinctive variation and then present them to the forum in an informative and constructive way.

[CtahhR]

Here is a very early variation of the Type 2 which will be a contemporary of the "blotchy" example previously posted.

[Olegoss]

Originally Posted by CtahhR

"공로메달
나라의 경제와 과학문화를 발전시키기 위한 투쟁에서 공훈을 세운 사람들을 국기적으로 표창하기 위하여 수여하는 메달.
영생불멸의 주체사상과 당의 조선, 정책으로 튼튼히 무장하고 나라의 경제하 과학문화를 발전시키는데 이바기한 로동자, 농민, 사무원, 기술자, 과학자, 문화인 기타 일군들에게 수여한다, 제체 38 (1949) 년 6월 13일 최인민회의 상임위원회 정령으로 제정되여 정령으로 수여된다.
이 메달은 왼쪽가슴에 단다. 수훈자가 사망한후 메달과 메달증은 그 가족에게 넘겨 주어 보존하게 한다."

Medal For Merits,
Medal awarded in recognition, as a national sign of those who have worked meritoriously in the struggle for the development of science, culture or economy of the country.
Was enacted by decree of the supreme presidium of the nation assembly 13th June Juche 38 (1949), to be awarded to specialised and cultural workers, scientists, engineers, clerks, farmers,
Workers contributing to the development of science, culture, military economy of the country, strengthening the armed forces and policies of the Korean Party of the immortal Juche idea.

Very good translation, I wonder who did it?
I’d like to make some corrections:

“to be awarded to workers, farmers, clerks, engineers, scientists, artists and others, armed with the immortal Juche idea and policies of the Party and contributed to the development of economy, science and culture of the country."

and finish translation:

이 메달은 왼쪽가슴에 단다. – (the medal) is worn on the chest left side.
수훈자가 사망한후 메달과 메달증은 그 가족에게 넘겨 주어 보존하게 한다. – After the death of award’s owner, the medal shell be kept in his family.