Historical Context:

The Medal “Veteran of Labour” (Russian: медаль «Ветеран труда) was a civilian labour award of the Soviet Union established on January 18, 1974 by Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR to honor workers for many years of hard work in the national economy, sciences, culture, education, healthcare, government agencies and public organizations. Although it only had a relatively short eighteen years of existence, it was awarded nearly forty million times. Its regulations were detailed and approved by decree number 5999-VIII of May 20, 1974. Its statute was amended by multiple successive decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on June 8, 1977, then on August 12, 1983 and lastly on December 28, 1987. The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Medal Design:

The Medal “Veteran of Labour” was designed by artist SA Pomansky. It was a 34 mm in diameter circular medal struck from tombac and then silver-plated and oxidised. The obverse of the medal bears the relief image of the hammer and sickle over the inscription “USSR” (Russian: «СССР») with diverging rays, a laurel branch spans the width of the obverse from right to left passing under the sickle’s handle in an upward curve, along the lower and right circumference, a ribbon bearing the relief inscription “VETERAN OF LABOUR” (Russian: «ВЕТЕРАН ТРУДА»). The otherwise plain reverse bears the inscription on four lines “FOR LONG DILIGENT WORK” (Russian: «ЗА ДОЛГОЛЕТНИЙ ДОБРОСОВЕСТНЫЙ ТРУД»).

The Medal “Veteran of Labour” was secured by a ring through the medal suspension loop to a standard Soviet pentagonal mount covered by a 24mm wide overlapping ribbon with 1 mm wide white edge stripes and colored from left to right by a 7 mm wide dark grey stripe, an 8 mm wide light grey stripe, and three 2 mm wide red stripes separated by two 0.5 mm wide white stripes.

Apparently, there is a variation of the medal, being struck in silver as opposed to tombac, but this has not yet been verified.

At VDG Militaria, we are dedicated to providing collectors with an exceptional selection of original military antiques. Our passion for history and commitment to authenticity ensure that every item we offer is thoroughly researched, accurately described, and meticulously photographed.

Whether you are a seasoned collector or new to the world of militaria, our curated inventory includes a diverse range of artifacts from various periods and conflicts. From uniforms and insignia to medals and equipment, we aim to connect you with pieces that tell the stories of the past.

Our expertise and attention to detail mean you can trust that every item you purchase is genuine and precisely represented. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we strive to make your collecting experience as seamless and enjoyable as possible. If you have any inquiries or need assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Using the Offer Feature

We are pleased to offer a “Make an Offer” feature on our website, allowing you to negotiate the price of items that catch your eye. Once you submit an offer, expect an email from us shortly after. If your offer is accepted, the email will include a special payment link for your convenience. Please check your spam folder if you have strict email filters.

We promise to respond to all offers as quickly as possible. If you do not hear from us within one business day, feel free to reach out directly via phone or text at the contact information below to ensure your request is promptly addressed.

Contact Us

For the fastest response, we recommend reaching out via email or text. We typically reply to emails and text messages the quickest.

📧 Email: vdgmilitaria@yahoo.com
📱 Phone/Text: 651-968-3882

Thank you for visiting VDG Militaria. We wish you happy collecting and look forward to helping you find the perfect addition to your collection.