Each country has its own heroes whose merits are marked by special awards, which are approved at the government level. The medal "For Labor Distinction" was awarded to the Heroes of Labor in the Soviet Union.
Concept of labor merit
It was considered a great honor to receive a medal for conscientious work. It was handed to workers who proved to be skilled craftsmen, who had worked in the same place for decades and became mentors and an example for young people.
In Soviet times, the Presidium of the Supreme Council adopted and established the titles and medals for work.
Work Achievement Award
The medal "For Labor Distinction" was adopted in 1938 and was awarded to people who excelled in hard work and high performance in work. Their merits were first noted at the level of the collective, brigade, factory. After receiving thanks and letters of honor, these Heroes of Labor became known at the district, oblast and republic levels. The medal "For Labor Distinction" was awarded to collective farmers, workers, scientists, representatives of art, culture and education for the contribution they made to the development and prosperity of Soviet society:
- For inventions that increased labor productivity and facilitated manual work.
- For the restoration or construction of strategic military and economic facilities.
- For victories in socialist competitions and increasing personal productivity and the quality of products.
- For sporting achievements, education and training of youth, for public state activity to promote the ideas of socialism to the masses.
The medal "For Labor Distinction" had an inscription on the front side and was made of 925 sterling silver. On the reverse side it was written "Labor in the USSR is a matter of honor." It should be worn on the left side of the chest.
Today the medal "For Labor Distinction", the price of which in the specialized market is from 800 rubles, is included in the rating, albeit not rare, but in demand.
Medal "For Valiant Labor"
This medal was accepted for awarding in 1969 and was first awarded on the 100th anniversary of the birth of the proletarian leader for his valor or heroism at work. She could get people from all walks of Soviet society - from workers and peasants to academics, representatives of art, culture, health and sports.
Also, the medal "For Valiant Labor" was awarded to those who took part in the formation of Soviet power and the defense of the Motherland. Foreign communist figures were also awarded this medal for promoting the ideas of socialism in the world.
The medal was made of brass. In the upper part of the circle is written "For Valiant Labor", and below the sickle and hammer are depicted, under which is the inscription "To commemorate the centenary of the birth of V.I. Lenin." At the very bottom of the circle is a five-pointed star, on the back there is an image of Lenin with the dates of the centenary.
Medal "For Labor Valor"
In the days of the building of socialism, they knew how to value and reward human labor.
The medal "For Labor Valor" was awarded for selfless work for the benefit of the people and the homeland. The main criterion for awarding the medal was the manifestation of valor and fearlessness, as well as the selfless fulfillment and overfulfillment of socialist obligations.
It was also given to artists, science, education and health workers for effective work and the introduction of new working methods that increase labor productivity and the quality of products.
This medal was produced from 925 sterling silver. On the outside is a five-pointed star, under which is the inscription "For the labor valor of the USSR." On the reverse side is "Labor in the USSR is a matter of honor." The person who received it should have been a mentor and example for young people.
Like the medal "For Labor Distinction", the price of this award is 800-1000 rubles.
Labor medals of the Soviet Union
Labor medals and orders of the era of the construction of developed socialism include:
The Veteran of Labor medal is a reward for long-term and conscientious work at the workplace. This award was made of silver plated tompak. On the front side is the inscription "Veteran of Labor", and on the back - "For long-term conscientious work." A man who worked at the same workplace of the decade, proved to be a dedicated and honest worker, mentor of youth and a winner in socialist competitions, was nominated for this title from the team, trade union, district or regional administration.
The Hammer and Sickle Medal was awarded in conjunction with the title Hero of Socialist Labor. This is the highest rank for labor activity in the Soviet Union. Also, a person received the Order of Lenin and a letter. Nominated to this title prominent figures of our time in all areas of labor. Man had to make a huge contribution to the development of society and the homeland. The invention of new technologies, discoveries in science, healthcare, education - all this could serve as an occasion for obtaining this honorary title. When re-awarded, the Order of Lenin, the Hammer and Sickle Medal were again issued, and a bronze bust was installed in the hero’s homeland.
History of the medal "For Labor Distinction"
In January 1939, the medal "For Labor Distinction" was first awarded. The awarded were employees of the plant. Kalinin number 8. They were noted for the valor shown in the formation of the workers and peasants. By a resolution of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, 19 workers became the first medalists for labor.
Literally immediately after that, a decision was made to reward 16 employees of the Red Army Song and Dance Ensemble in honor of the 10th anniversary of the collective.
The next medalists in January were the developers of a new method of coal mining using underground gasification. Twenty-eight people who invented and implemented this method received the honorary badge “For the Labor Distinction of the USSR” - a medal that became a symbol of labor courage.
The last on the list of January 1939, but not on the list of awarded people, are the valiant agricultural workers of Uzbekistan. Here, 75 advanced workers, mainly cotton pickers, received this award.
In subsequent years, many agricultural leaders, factory workers, factories, scientists, teachers, innovators, doctors and other representatives of various professions were awarded this medal. The last presentation took place in 1991, and in total during the Soviet Union, 2,146,400 people were awarded. So the Soviet Motherland honored its labor heroes.
Changes in the appearance of the medal
During the existence of the medal, its appearance changed somewhat. From 1939 to 1943 she had a triangular suspension block. The very first copies and, as a rule, the most expensive ones had silver pads. Later, silver-plated metals began to be used. Each medal has its own serial number.
From 1943 to 1991, they were awarded a medal with a pentagonal block, which was secured with a pin on the back. Since 1947, this award began to be issued without a serial number.
All labor awards that were accepted for rewarding in the Soviet Union changed as the country developed. Something was added to them, other details were removed, as the alloy changed.
In modern conditions
Today, medals are memorabilia that are valuable either to collectors or to their owners as a memory of days gone by. The value of the awards determines their quality, year of manufacture and quantity on the market. The older the medals, the less they are left, the higher their value.