In bronze, measures 59.8 mm in diameter. The artwork in high 3-d profile depicts column of industrial workers marching in a tight formation. The inscription on the obverse is "100 Years of the Morozov Strike, 1885". Near the edge at 7 o'clock there are a stylized logo of the medallist, G. A. Fyodorova; 1989 date of issue and the late-style logo "LMD" of the Leningrad Mint. The recessed part of the reverse surrounded by industrial landscape reads: "The First Organized Action of the Proletariat of Russia in Advancement of Its Rights, (town of) Orekhovo-Zuevo". The medal is in e

In bronze, measures 59.8 mm in diameter. The artwork in high 3-d profile depicts column of industrial workers marching in a tight formation. The inscription on the obverse is "100 Years of the Morozov Strike, 1885". Near the edge at 7 o'clock there are a stylized logo of the medallist, G. A. Fyodorova; 1989 date of issue and the late-style logo "LMD" of the Leningrad Mint. The recessed part of the reverse surrounded by industrial landscape reads: "The First Organized Action of the Proletariat of Russia in Advancement of Its Rights, (town of) Orekhovo-Zuevo". The medal is in excellent condition.

The medal commemorated the 100th anniversary of the strike of the workers of the large Morozov textile factory in the town of Orekhovo-Zuevo near Moscow. In the event that took place in January 1885, some 8000 of the factory's 11000 workers went on strike to protest low pay and fines arbitrarily imposed by administration; the immediate spark for the confrontation was the cancellation of a previously honored paid church holiday. In the end, the authorities had to call up some Cossacks as well as regular army troops to quell the brewing rebellion and arrest the leaders of the strikers. Interestingly, all of the prosecuted workers were eventually acquitted in court although some were nevertheless exiled. An immediate consequence of the Morozov strike was advancement of labor protection laws in Russia; later, the strike was used as an inspiration by various socialist and communist factions. The town remained a hub of anti-government activities during the abortive revolution of 1905 and the February revolution of 1917; many of its workers were ardent supporters of Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War.

The commemorative medal was struck at the Leningrad Mint in 1989, four years after the actual anniversary. It had the total circulation of just 800, a very small number by Soviet standards. It is not only one of the latest table medals of the Soviet era, but also one of the last to carry a clear pro-communist political message.

/See Commemorative [Table] Medal of the Soviet Period, 1919 - 1991, fig. 1844/.

Please note, penny in our photo is for size reference.
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