History

The Order of the Red Banner of Labour of the USSR was established on September 7, 1928. This Order was conferred in recognition of exceptional labour contributions to the fields of production, science, culture, literature, art education, or health care. It was awarded to USSR citizens, establishments, enterprises, organizations, autonomous and united republics, krais, oblasts, okrugs, regions, cities, and other types of population centres. It may also be awarded to foreign citizens and establishments.

This Order superseded the Red Banner of Labour awards of the individual USSR republics, although some continued to award these individual awards until 1933. The Order was awarded roughly 8,000 times before the Great patriotic War, and 30,000 by the end of the war. After 1991, it had been awarded 1,260,000 times.

There are six types of the orders, and several variations within each type. All types depict a dam a gold plated hammer and sickle in the center, and all have the Cyrillic letters USSR.

Type II (1936, screwback version) was awarded from June 11, 1936 until June 19, 1943. The order is made of seven pieces, consisting of silver, gold-plating, red, white and blue enamel. The reverse presents rivets and does not have the depression that Type I has. There are three variations, many of which have been seen with maker's marks of one or two letters.

Variation I has a small, slightly curved Mondvor mark, the letters of which measure 1.5mm in height. The serial number ranges from roughly 100 to 8,000. The lowest observed number is 1,098 and the highest is 7,655.

Variation II has a larger, curved Mondvor mark, the letters of which measure 2mm in height. The serial number ranges from roughly 5,400 to 11,600. The lowest observed number is 5,443 and the highest is 11,622.

Variation III has a stacked Monetny Dvor mark. These pieces are 1mm shorter in general height. The serial number ranges from roughly 9,400 to 13,200. The lowest observed number is 9,432 and the highest is 13,267.

The obverse Russian inscription translates to: "Workers of the World Unite!" and "USSR"