In bronze, 70 mm wide, weighing 158 g. Created by Leningrad Mint medallier Yury Orekhov whose name shows at bottom right on the reverse. The artwork, finely sculpted in high relief, presents appropriate symbols of internationalism and higher education, with the obviously Russian alpha male in the center of the group of students. The inscription along the top edge reads "People's Friendship University". The writing on the reverse spells out "Established in Moscow, 1960." The medal was struck at the Leningrad Mint with the circulation of just 1054 pieces, very low by Soviet standards. The

In bronze, 70 mm wide, weighing 158 g. Created by Leningrad Mint medallier Yury Orekhov whose name shows at bottom right on the reverse. The artwork, finely sculpted in high relief, presents appropriate symbols of internationalism and higher education, with the obviously Russian alpha male in the center of the group of students. The inscription along the top edge reads "People's Friendship University". The writing on the reverse spells out "Established in Moscow, 1960." The medal was struck at the Leningrad Mint with the circulation of just 1054 pieces, very low by Soviet standards. The medal comes with the original clear Plexiglas fitted issue box.

In very fine to excellent condition, showing just a couple of small scuffs and a stain to the reverse. The issue case is clean and sturdy, no significant wear.

The People's Friendship University was a unique higher education institution meant specifically for students from Third World countries - even though many foreign students also studied in other Soviet colleges and universities. Ostensibly, its purpose was to help young people from poverty-stricken countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America; in reality, it was of course just another instrument of spreading Soviet propaganda and influence abroad. In February 1961, less than a year after its opening, the school was renamed: it became Patrice Lumumba People's Friendship University in honor of the recently slain pro-Soviet radical politician in Congo. Soon after that, it got the informal nickname "Lumumbarium", by analogy with "aquarium", "terrarium", etc. In 1992, soon after the breakup of the Soviet Union, Lumumba's name was quietly dropped, and the school once again became People's Friendship University. It never closed its doors however and even significantly expanded during the post-Soviet era.

/See Commemorative [Table] Medal of the Soviet Period, 1919 - 1991, fig. 211/.

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