In bronze, 70.3 mm wide. Both sides feature portrait groups masterfully executed in high relief. On the obverse are images of Lenin's parents, Maria Aleksandrovna and Ilya Nikolaevich Ulyanov as of 1879. The obverse shows young Vladimir, then aged nine, and his five surviving siblings not including the two that had died in infancy. The name of each is inscribed along the edge: "Ulyanov - Anna - Aleksandr - Vladimir - Olga - Dmitriy - Maria". Prominent among the siblings is Lenin's older brother Aleksandr who was later executed for attempted assassination of the Tsar Alexander III- and thus apparently had a huge influence on Vladimir's future political leanings (and possibly the latter's propensity for mass murder.) The name of the creator of the artwork M.G. Manizer appears in raised characters on the obverse at approx. 9 o'clock position.

Excellent condition. The raised details are perfect and crisp (a small uneven area to the right of the father's portrait appears to be a mint flaw, not a result of wear). Attractive even toning throughout.

The "Ulyanov Family" medal is a part of a 12-medal series entitled "Life and Actions of V.I. Lenin". The first six - including this piece - were created in 1962 and the rest in 1963; all were designed by Manizer and struck at the Leningrad Mint. The medal had a circulation of "over 2120" according to the Commemorative [Table] Medal of the Soviet Period, 1919 - 1991 (fig. 262).

After Lenin's death in 1924, his immediate family became a subject of a mini-cult of personality of its own. In the decades that followed, there were many fawning publications dedicated to the Ulyanovs, most of them of course completely fictitious. There were also a fair number of works of art depicting the Ulyanovs such as the medal offered here. Although none of Lenin's three surviving siblings rose to great political prominence, they were all active members of the Communist Party and owing to their lineage, had sinecure positions within the party. One must say that at the very least, they were spared the fate of many others of the old Bolshevik guard who perished in Stalin's purges.

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