Brass, enamels; measures 31.9 mm in height, 25.8 mm in width; weighs 8.6 g not including the screw plate. Riveted 3-piece construction. This is an extremely well-made and intricate badge. The artwork shows a polar area of the globe with a river running into the Arctic Ocean and superimposed coal mining towers. Variation featuring filled-in triangular area between the elements of the right tower.

In excellent condition. The enamel is practically flawless: free of chips, rubbing or flaking, and retains beautiful luster throughout. There are only a couple of microscopic conta

Brass, enamels; measures 31.9 mm in height, 25.8 mm in width; weighs 8.6 g not including the screw plate. Riveted 3-piece construction. This is an extremely well-made and intricate badge. The artwork shows a polar area of the globe with a river running into the Arctic Ocean and superimposed coal mining towers. Variation featuring filled-in triangular area between the elements of the right tower.

In excellent condition. The enamel is practically flawless: free of chips, rubbing or flaking, and retains beautiful luster throughout. There are only a couple of microscopic contact marks to the red star, completely unnoticeable to the naked eye. The raised details of the towers are perfect. A good amount of the fragile original silver finish is visible on the center medallion and in the recessed areas of the towers; the gilt finish on the hammers is likewise clearly visible. The original rivets are intact and tight. The screw post is full length, approx. 9.5 mm, and includes the scarce original mint-marked screw plate.

This award was issued by the MVD penitentiary department to the best engineers and guards of northern forced labor camps. Unlike most other badges of the GULAG series, it actually shows the "MVD" (Ministry of the Interior) designation making no secret of the fact that it's a prison labor award.

/Avers 8, p. 85, fig. 485.b; M. Rogov, History of Awards and Insignia of Russian MVD, 1802 -2002 , p. 105, fig. 1.2.3.22./

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