Winner of Socialist Competition Badge with Lenin Profile (Победитель социалистического соревнования)

Name/Title

"Winner of Socialist Competition" Badge with Lenin Profile (Победитель социалистического соревнования)

Entry/Object ID

2025.20.20

Description

A pin-back suspension badge in two parts. The upper element is a gilt scroll/banner-shaped suspension bar filled with red enamel, carrying gilt lettering now almost entirely rubbed away (for this award type, the banner reads "ПОБЕДИТЕЛЬ СОЦСОРЕВНОВАНИЯ" with a year); a horizontal pin is fitted to the reverse. A loop and ring connect it to the hanging medallion: a circular red-enamel field bearing a gilt high-relief left-facing profile bust of Vladimir Lenin, framed by a gilt wreath of wheat ears (with laurel) gathered at the base.

Context

The "Winner of Socialist Competition" badge was a Soviet labor-honor award of the socialist-emulation (соцсоревнование) system, issued annually from 1973 with the year named on the banner. It recognized outstanding workers and specialists for top results in the all-Union competition to meet and exceed the state economic plan, and was conferred jointly by ministries/agencies and the trade unions. The Lenin profile and grain wreath are the award's standard iconography. As a Soviet labor badge, it connects to Cuba through close Soviet–Cuban ties and a shared culture of "emulación socialista"; the specific route of this example into the collection is not established (tentative).

Acquisition

Accession

2025.20

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Place

Country

U.S.S.R.

Region

Eastern Europe

Continent

Europe

Notes

Issuer/Attribution: All-Union state/trade-union award (CPSU CC, USSR Council of Ministers, VTsSPS, Komsomol), USSR. Mint/maker unmarked on the visible face. Date: 1973 or later — the badge type was instituted 5 January 1973 and issued annually through the 1970s–1980s. The specific year on the banner is worn and illegible here (flag; the type is post-1973, within the collection period).

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Banner inscription worn to illegibility in this image; for this type it reads "ПОБЕДИТЕЛЬ СОЦСОРЕВНОВАНИЯ" with a year.

Dimensions

Height

3.5 cm

Diameter

2.3 cm

Parts

Enamel banner suspension bar (with reverse pin) and hanging Lenin medallion, joined by loop and ring.

Materials

Material

Metal

Material Notes

enameledGilt metal (brass/tombac) with red vitreous enamel; gilt Lenin profile and wreath.

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Vladimir I. Lenin

Notes

imagery

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

March 31, 2022

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 18, 2026