In gilded brass and enamels; medallion measures 30.3 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 29.2 mm in width. The medallion weighs 9.0 g not including the suspension and connecting link; overall weigh with suspension is 13.7 g. The central portion of the medallion features VLKSM member badge of 1958 model.

The colors of the arms of the star represent ribbons for various Soviet orders that had been bestowed upon VLKSM as of 1966 when the Honorary Badge of VLKSM was introduced. Those include three Orders of Lenin (upper arms), Order of the Red Banner of Labor (lower right) a

In gilded brass and enamels; medallion measures 30.3 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 29.2 mm in width. The medallion weighs 9.0 g not including the suspension and connecting link; overall weigh with suspension is 13.7 g. The central portion of the medallion features VLKSM member badge of 1958 model.

The colors of the arms of the star represent ribbons for various Soviet orders that had been bestowed upon VLKSM as of 1966 when the Honorary Badge of VLKSM was introduced. Those include three Orders of Lenin (upper arms), Order of the Red Banner of Labor (lower right) and Order of the Red Banner (lower left.) The reverse of the medallion shows raised logo "LMD" of the Leningrad Mint. The medal comes on a Type 1 suspension device, as issued only for a couple of years starting from 1966. In 1968, the organization was awarded with an Order of the October Revolution, and the all-red ribbon was replaced accordingly to the one with blue vertical stripes in the middle to represent the award.

The medal is in excellent condition. Unlike some near mint, probably unissued examples we have seen it shows evidence of having been worn, but its enamel is perfect. The brass has acquired attractive patina but it gilt finish is still largely intact. The ribbon shows age and light wear but is perfectly sound and clean.

The Honorary Badge of VLKSM was the highest award of the Soviet Communist Youth. It was awarded primarily upon top leaders of the Soviet government, military, Communist Party and Komsomol. Among notable recipients were Yuri Gagarin and Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev. Some of the medals (or badges according to official Soviet hierarchy of awards) were issued to "representatives of progressive foreign organizations for special contribution to the cause of strengthening peace, friendship and solidarity of the youth". In general, areas of recognition were defined pretty vaguely, reflecting the nature of Komsomol award structure that on one hand mirrored state awards of the USSR, and on another hand was rather arbitrary. Nevertheless, based on currently available information very few of these were ever bestowed, perhaps a thousand or so. Some of the very early examples were numbered, but the piece we are offering never had a serial number.

/See Batushin, Stetsurenko, "Principal Badges of Komsomol, Reference Catalog". , fig. 5.1.1/
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