In bronze; measures 59.9 mm wide, approx. 3.5 - 3.8 mm thick at the edge; weighs 134.4 g. On the obverse is a sculptured portrait of Krylenko. Reverse shows a shield with Soviet state seal and a sword, with raised writing "N.V. Krylenko" and years of his life "1885 - 1938". Bottom of the reverse shows the name of the sculptor "I. Kozlovskiy", Leningrad Mint logo, and the "1989" date of manufacture.

In very fine to excellent condition. The raised details are perfect on both sides. There are a couple of very mild bumps to the edge, barely noticeable. The toning to the bronze is nice and even throughout.

Nikolai Krylenko was one of the top Bolshevik military leaders during the Revolution and Civil War. In the 1920s, he became the Chairman of the Revolutionary Tribunal and Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation. In 1931, he was appointed Narkom (People's Commissar) of Justice of RSFSR and in 1936, Narkom of Justice of the USSR. However, he did not last very long on the latter assignment. In 1938, Krylenko fell victim to Stalin's purges that he himself had been so instrumental in conducting.

The medal was probably first commissioned in 1985 to commemorate the centenary of Krylenko's birth but issued with a few years delay. Its most likely recipients were ranking prosecutors and officials in the Ministry of Justice. Interesting timing: the beginning of the era of Glasnost when many dead Bolsheviks who fell during the Stalin's terror were pulled back from oblivion and given a hero status.

/See Commemorative [Table] Medals of the Soviet Period, 1919-1991, fig. 1867/.

Please note that the coin in our photo is for size reference.