Russia - RSFSR Hammer & Plow

November 2024

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Before the Hammer & Sickle was adopted as an appropriate symbol for the vanguard of Marxism (Socialism and Communism) the original symbol was the Hammer and Plow. After a search of many years I finally found an example in numismatic form. There are about 150 different chest medals manufactured post the February 1917 revolution. Many of them feature a female figure, like a Russian Liberty, and they are found in various metals, including silver. Inscriptions are along the line of “Long live freedom and equality” ; "Free Russia" & "Long live the democratic republic." All are very scarce. The type here is described as the last of the series of medals issued. I've seen photos of a complete medal that came with another metal loop and red ribbon mounted on metal base for wearing on the chest. I've seen some, like the one I have, with the loop missing and the medal having been holed. Here I'm showing a nice example from the Internet.
The obverse legend here is: "Comrades! Lets tell all the world about Socialism! [7/XI 1918.; Медаль СССР - Оповестим Мир о Социализме]. Here the date is meant to represent 7 November, 1918. The reverse has been described as Lenin, presumably reentering Russia through Finland, that's unknown, but the medal generally depicts symbolic figures of a worker and a peasant, with an intellectual illuminating the road with a torch.
This very scarce medal was issued on the upcoming 1st Anniversary of the October 1917 Revolution. Made of bronze, it's 6.3g 28mm.
Use the following Russian page to read more about this fascinating series of early Soviet medals, then use the browser 'TRANSLATE' function: [ link ]