In gilded tombak (brass) and lacquer. The pendant measures 24.6 mm in height (incl. eyelet), 22.8 mm in width; weighs 5.9 grams not including the suspension and connecting link; total weight with suspension is 11.2 g. There is a raised late type round logo of the Moscow Mint on the reverse of the medallion. The reverse also has a raised horizontal line, a provision for the serial number which was left blank as was typically (if not always) the case.

The medal is in excellent, near mint condition. There are only a couple of minuscule contact marks on either side that are nearly unnoticeable to the naked eye. The lacquer finish on the obverse is perfect. The stippling on the reverse is pristine and beautifully crisp. The suspension is original and complete, with fully functional pin attachment and clean old ribbon. The connecting link appears to be original and its ends are joined with solder in the manner typical of the Soviet Mint.

Established in 1943 during the Great Patriotic War, the Title of People's Artist USSR was the highest level of recognition for creative artists such as painters, decorators and sculptors. It was exceptionally hard to earn: based on currently available information, only 159 people received this honor over the entire history of the award. The medal itself existed for a much shorter period, only from 1985 - 1991. After it was established and manufactured in the mid-80s, it was retroactively issued to all the early holders of the title who were alive at the time. Although some unissued medals made it to the market after the collapse of the Soviet Union, their numbers were very small. Moreover, most if not all of the issued medals did not have a serial number just like the unissued examples, and therefore it is now impossible to distinguish one from the other.

/Avers 8, p. 227, fig. 1106/.