Soviet Medals

Medal for Distinguished Labor
Established 27 December 1938. Awarded to laborers who distinguish themselves by high production rates, and for development in the fields of science, manufacturing and culture. Citizens as well as foreigners were eligible for this award. It is made of silver. Approximately 3,000,000 were issued.
Type 1 Variation 1                             R4        
Triangular suspension. Suspension with copper screwpost.
detail pic

Type 1 Variation 2                             R3        
Triangular suspension. Suspension with silver screwpost.
detail pic

Type 2 Variation 1                             R2      
5-sided suspension. "No." and a serial number.
full obverse pic
detail pic

Type 2 Variation 2                              C          
5-sided suspension. Without a serial number. Soldered on ring, or ring as part of medal.
full obverse pic
detail pic

closeup of a duplicate award #2405. Note cyrillic "D" below serial number
detail pic
Rarity Key
A
Abundant, readily available, often in wholesale quantities.
C
Common, always available. Occasionally in quantity.
R1
Usually available without a long delay. Difficult to find in quantity.
R2
Scarce to rare, less seldom available.
R3
Rare. Difficult to find.
R4
Very rare. Demand outstrips supply, and specimens, when available are often eagerly sought.
R5
Extremely rare and seldom available. Collector may have to search for a few years to locate one.
R6
Of the highest rarity. Very difficult to obtain.
R7
Almost never available. Most collectors will not have a chance to acquire these pieces.
R8
Never been on the market. Almost impossible to obtain.
R*
Not available for collections.
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Look up recorded serial numbers of Soviet and Mongolian orders and medals.